REMINISCENCES 



OF 



NEWBERRY, 

EMBRACINO 

IMPORTANT OCCURRENCES, BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES 
OF PROMINENT CITIZENS AND HIS- 
TORICAL SKETCHES OF 
CHURCHES : 

TO WHICH IS APPENDED 

An Historical Account of Newberry College. 



BY 



JOHN B. CAR WILE 



CHARLESTON, S. C. 

Walker, Evaks & Cogswell Co., Printers. 

y & 5 Broad and 117 East Bay Sts. 

1890. 



Vz^H 



h' 



TO 

ROBERT LUSK McCAUGHRIN, 

WHO STANDS PRE-EMINENT AMONG THE BENEFAOTOKS OF 

NEWBERRY, 

THESE REMINISCENCES AND SKETCHES 

ARE RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 

BY HIS FRIEND AND ASSOCIATE OF MANY YEARS, 

JOHN B. CARWILE. 



Note. — In addition to acknowledgments already made in 
the body of the work, the author desires to express his grate- 
ful thanks to, J. F. J. Caldwell, Esq., Silas Johnstone, Esq., 
, Dr. O. B. Mayer, Sen., Rev. E. P. McClintock, Hon. Y, J. Pope, 
John A. Chapman, Esq., Mrs. Dr. James Mcintosh, Mrs. J. 
M. Baxter, Miss O. E. Garlington, Mrs. Dr. Sale and Mrs. 
Nancy Moon of Newberry, the Hon. Samuel McGowan, As- 
sociate Justice of the Supreme Court of S. C, the Rev. S. T. 
Hallman of Augusta, Ga. and Mrs. William Hood of Due 
West, S. C, for valuable aid and assistance most cheerfully 
given him in the prosecution of his labors. 



IjMTp(!)OUC-T:'I©^N. 



IN thefollowiDg pages it is attempted to give some account 
of the principal persons wlio iiave resided in tlie town 
of Newberry, Soutli Carolina, and of the prominent occur- 
rences in that town during the past half century, as the'^e 
persons and occurrences are known to the author. His de- 
sign has not been to write a history of that town, or of the 
surrounding section, but to present to the public, and espe- 
cially to those who are acquainted or connected with the in- 
dividuals and events and institutions described, the author's 
knowledge of these persons and things. He has no religious, 
social or political theory to advocate, no personal interest to 
advance ; he simply records his own reminiscences and his 
own experiences, and leaves the reader to draw his own con- 
clusions. 

The reach of such a work is, as T have more than once 
suggested to my friend, far beyond his purpose in writing 
these sketches, and far beyond what he is willing to claim 
for them. For, as has been said, history is little more than 
the biographies of prominent men ; when, therefore, the 
lives of the principal men of a community have been cor- 
rectly delineated, there has been written, at least for the 
period in which they lived and acted, the history of that 



viii Introduction. 

community. Nor is this history limited to the duration of 
those men's lives, for what they were and what they did 

constitute the result and expression of thoughts, sentiments 
and customs transmitted to them from past generations, and 
are also the producing cause of much that follows them. 
And thus their lives are both a history of the past, and a 
forecast of the future of their people. Moreover the inhabi- 
tants of a town or county are so like those of the surrounding 
section, that a truthful account of one neighborhood will 
present at least a tolerably accurate description of a consid- 
erable territory about it. 

Judging from our experience of men, we can scarcely ex- 
pect that a book of this character, professedly local in its 
scope, should have much interest for persons far removed 
from the scenes described, for such persons usually take it 
for granted that it contains nothing which at all concerns 
them. Yet, it is for those very persons that it should have 
the greatest interest, for while to the vicinity it is but a nar- 
rative of things already pretty well known there, to one at 
a distance it is a history of a people to him hitherto almost 
utterly unknown. While therefore, I may commend this 
work to the people of Newberry and of this State, on acco jnt 
of its truthfulness and accuracy in describing persons and 
things already known, and to some extent appreciated by 
them, I may especially commend it to persons outside of the 
State because of its affording such a description of our cus- 
toms, sentiments and modes of thought as they are not 
likely to find elsewhere. To us the book is a narrative : to 



Introduction. ix 

the foreigner it is a painting of the life and thought and 
sentiment of Southern people. 

The author has resided in the town of Newberry for some- 
what more than fifty years. In his occupations as merchant 
and banker, he has been pretty well acquainted with almost 
all of our prominent men, and more or less concerned in all 
movements of interest in that community during that pe- 
riod. He has spared no pains in collecting accurate infor- 
mation ; he has cheerfully corrected every error, even the 
least material of his first views or narrations, whenever it 
has been shown or suspected. I have examined his manu- 
script with the closest scrutiny, and I must say that if there 
is a misstatement in the work I am not able to name it. 
And the taste and tone of the volume cannot be to highly 
praised. While entirely frank and fearless in handling the 
matters under investigation, the author has written nothiui^ 
which is not consistent with the most elevated morality, 
and has written of nothing in any other manner than that 
which the most refined sensibility must approve, 

I take pleasure in commending the work to the people of 
America, not only as an accurate historical narrative, but as 
a truthful picture of Southern thought and life. 

J. F. J. CALDWELL. 

Newberry, September, 1889. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGE. 

Early Recollections — Schools and School Masters — 

Rev. S. P. Pressly— Miss Clark — Simeon 

Pratt — James Divver 1 



CHAPTER II. 

Old time Domestic Economy — Polly Goulding — 
Schools and School Masters again— McGovern — 
Dick Cahill— Old Billy Cahill— Rencounter be- 
tween McGovern and BillPearce — Polly Hughes- 
Death of Albert Johnstone— Rev. J. Galloway — 
" Shinney " — Rev. Mr. Chaplain and Mr. Wiley, 
both New England Teachers— New Methods of 
Teaching and Discipline Introduced— Daniel A. 
Dobson — His wonderful Attainments and early 
Death 10 



CHAPTER III. 

Bird's-eye view of Newberry fifty years ago — Dr. M. T. 
Mendenhall— Robert Stewart— A typical old time 
store — M. W. Gracey — A celebrated race horse— 
The Old Shoe Store— Gouveneur Thompson— Cir- 
cus and Menagerie show bills — Why the Circus 
and Menagerie were combined— Antoine Gilbal— 
Mystery of his former life — His excentricities — 
His horsemanship— Solomon's Song 25 



xii Contents, 

CHAPTER IV. PACxE. 

Manners and Customs — Everybody on horseback — 
The people all of one political party — Personal 
appeals for suffrages unknown — " Treating" al- 
most universal — Merriman Clocks as badges of 
prosperity — Marriages — Funerals —Mail Coaches — 
Postoffice — A trip by stage coach — Some reflec- 
tions and some advice to young men which the 
reader may skip if he chooses— Publications 
received at the PostofRce in 1840 -Horse Racing — 
kScenes on a Race Course— Gambling Hell 37 



CHAPTER V. 

The Old Locust— Dr. Burr Johnston— He removes to 
Alabama — Affecting scenes on the day of his 
departure from Newberry— Memories of the old 
Locust- -Paul Johnstone— Howard H. Caldwell — 
Dr. AVilliam H. Harrington— Major Christian H. 
Suber — Thomas Pratt — His journey to Philadel- 
phia on horseback in 1813, to purchase goods — 
Priestly Pratt— John W. Stewart, Richard C. Car- 
wile, John C. Higgins and Priestly Pratt Volun- 
teer for the Mexican War— The last Farewell — 
Only Higgins lives to return — Guzman— His noble 
conduct and death in Mexico , 53 



CHAPTER VI. 

The Old Court House— A Day in Court— Genl. H. H 
Kinard, Sheriff— Judge O'Neall on the Bench— 
Y. J. Harrington, Clerk— James J. Caldwell, So- 
licitor —Rapid Dispatch of Business — Flexibility 



Contents. xiii 

PAGE. 

of the Old Judiciary System — L. J. Jones — His 
Remarkable Career of Fifty Years as a Lawyer — 
John Caldwell — Member^ of the Legislature — 
Cashier of Bank of the State— His Eloquence at 
the Bar and before the People —P. C. Caldwell — 
Member of the Bar — of the Legislature— of Con- 
gress — of the Senate — Silas L. Heller — Lawyer — 
Member of Legislature —Teacher — Henry Sum- 
mer — Attorney — Member of the Legislature — 
Elected to Southern Congress in 1851 —Member of 
State Convention, 1865 — Enthusiastic Lover and 
Collector of Books — Graphic account of the Perils 
and Sufferings of the Family during Shermq^n's 
March (1865) Narrated by his Wife, Mrs. Frances 
Summer — Adam G. Summer — His Short Career 
at the Bar — Devotes himself to Agriculture and 
Literature — His Sad Death — Geo. F. Epps — His 
promising Professional Career cut short by Death. 72 



CHAPTER VIL 

Great Religious Awakening — Organization and His- 
tory of Baptist Church— Picture of a Church Edi- 
fice fifty years ago — Rev J. M. Barnes— Rev. N. 
W. Hodges — Rev. D. Mangum— Rev. Thomas 
Frean — Rev. Samuel Gibson— Rev. Jno. G. Lan- 
drum— Rev. M.C. Barnett — Rev. Richard Furman, 
D. D 97 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Methodist Church — Organization and History — Rev- 
Angus McPherson— Rev. G. W. Moore— Rev. 
Saml. Dunwoody— Rev. C. S. Walker— Rev. S. 



xiv Contents. 

PAGE. 

Townsend— Rev. J. R. Pickett— Rev. W. A. Mc- 
Swain— Rev. A. W. Walker— Rev. C. McLeod 
— Kev. Bond English 114 



CHAPTER IX. 

Aveleigh (Presbyterian) Church — Letter of Chancellor 
Johnstone's — Organization and History of the 
Church— Rev R. C. Ketchuni— Rev. J. McKittrick 
— Rev. E. F. Hyde — Rev. A. D. Montgomery — 
Rev. E. H. Buist 122 



CHAPTER X. 

St. Luke's (Episcopal) Church— Service in Court 
House and Female Academy, in 1836, by Rev 
Cranmore Wallace— In 1845, by Rev. R. S. Seely, 
followed by Rev. E. T. Walker — Consecration of 
Church Edifice in 1835— Rev. C. R. Haines— Rev. 
Lucian Lance— Rev. Maxwell Pringle — Rev. E. 
R.Miles— Rev. P. F. Stevens— Rev Jno. Ker- 
shaw— Rev. y. H. Gallaudett— Rev. F. Hallam— 
Rev. W. F. Dickinson— Rev. W. H. Hanckel 135 



CHAPTER XL 

Luther Chapel (Evangelical Lutheran Church)— 
Organization and History— Rev. T. S. Boinest — 
Rev. \Vm. Berly— Rev. Theophilus Stork, D. D— 
Rev. J. P. Smeltzer, D. D 142 



CHAPTER XIL 

Thompson Street (Associate Reformed Presbyterian 
Church)— History— Rev. E. P. McCIintock— Rev. 
H. L. Murphy 151 



Contents. xv 

CHAPTER XIII. PAGE, 

Some Living Ministers Formerly Pastors in New- 
berry— Rev. John J. Brantley, D. D— Rev. H. W. 
Kuhns, D. D— Rev. R. A. Fair 156 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Biographical Sketches— Chief Justice O'Neall — 
Chancellor Job Johnstone— Chancellor J. J. 
Caldwell 16& 

CHAPTER XV. ^ 

Biographical Sketches Continued -Simeon Fair — 
Thomas H. Pope— J, M. Baxter— A. C. Garling- 
ton 192 

CHAPTER XVI. 
Biographical Sketches Continued — Y. J. Harring- 
ton—John S. Carwile— F. B. Higgins— Drayton 
Nance — James D. Nance 225 

CHAPTER XVII. 
Biographical Sketches Continued— Rev. Samuel P. 
Pressly — Remarkable Scene in a Court House — 
Story of a Celebrated Trial (Foot Note)— Rev. 
Luther Broaddus 258 

APPENDIX. 

Historical Sketch of Newberry College 27^ 



r\_,eminisceuces of INewberry. 



CHAPTER T. 



Early recollections.— schools and schoolmasters.— 
rev. sa]muel p. pressly.— miss clark — simeon 
pratt. — james divver. 



"A wonderful stream is the River ©f Time, 
As it runs, tlirougli the realms of Tears. 
With a faultless rhj'thm and a niusical rhyme, 
And a broader s\veei> and a surge sublime. 
As it blends with the Ocean of years. 



*'How the winters ai-e drifting like flakes of snow, 

And the summers like buds between. 

And the year in the sheaf— so they come and go 

On the river's breast, with its ebb and flow 

As it glides in the sliadow and sheen." 

Benjamin F. Tayi.ok.— "T/je Long Ago:' 



T PROPOSE in an unostentatious way to present some 
reminiscences, chiefly of tlie town of Newberry in the 
olden time, without mueli regard to chronological order, 
and as it will be necassary to have something with which 
to bind them together, I shall use the thread of my own 
life for that purpose. This is unavoidable, and will I trust 
be accepted as an apology for frequently introducing my- 
self. 
In taking a retrospective view of my life, I have some- 



2 /'Reminiscences of Neicherry. 

times endeavored to ascertain how far back my memory 
would lead me. In this effort the following somewhat 
ludicrous incident which must have occurred when I was 
about four or five years of age, invariably appears to be the 
earliest impression left upon my mind which can be recall- 
ed. 

On a sunny spring day, in a shady back yard, I was 
busily engaged in damming up a little stream of water 
which ran from the pump, in order to provide a comforta- 
ble retreat for a bevy of young ducks. In this absorbing 
occupation I was assisted by several small "darkies." I 
was dressed in a loose flowing garment, which in shape if 
not in color must have resembled the one presented bj^ 
Jacob to his beloved son, Joseph.* From the duck puddle 
I could see through the main hall out into the piazza of the 
dwelling. Hearing some lively conversation and laughter 
I looked up and saw a young girl, (leading by the hand a 
boy larger than myself and in full dress) passing out of the 
hall followed by my eldest sister to whom she had-just paid 
a visit. All oblivious of the condition of my hands and 
face, not to speak of my apparel, I ran through the hall 
and peeped cautiously around the frame of the front door. 

The young girls were taking leave of each other. They 
kissed and said good bye. When my sister's young friend 
had descended the steps leading from the piazza, she sud- 
denly turned round and came back, the little boy following, 
to say something to m^^ sister, and they again entered into 
a spirited conversation. This manoeuver was repeated sev- 
eral times, varied only by my sister sometimes going out to 



*Itis uncertain when the art of dj^eing became known to the He- 
brews : the dress worn by Joseph (Gen. xxxvii, 3, 23; is variously taken 
to be either a "coat of divers colors" or a tunic furnished with 
sleeves and reaching down to the ankles. The latter is probably the 
correct sense. ''Smitli's Dictionary of the Bible.'^ 



/Reminiscences of Newberry. 3 

her friend. So that they did not separate until long after 
the first farewell kiss had been exchanged. 

I digress here to remark, that the habit of lingering, and 
renewing conversation again and again, after formally 
taking leave, appears to be universal among women and is 
a phenomenon which I have never heard explained. 

INIeantime, in \\\y eagerness to 'get a good look at the boy, 
I incautiously leaned too far into the doorway. The little 
fellow saw me, and pointing with a finger of one hand 
towards me, and giving a tug at his sister's skirts with the 
other hand exclaimed . "Is that a white boy" ? An explo- 
sion of laughter from the girls, sent me flying through the 
hall with my "Joseph's coat" fluttering in the wind. I 
landed pell-mell on my hands and knees in the midst of 
my dusky companions, who stood grinning at the back- 
door. 

After this very unsatisfactory reconnoisance, 1 resumed 
my labors at the duck puddle. 

The next incident recalled is of quite a different character; 
I am standing in a large room, with a capacious fireplace, 
above which there is a tall mantle-piece, adorned with ob- 
jects of virtu. On one side of the room there is an antique 
clock fastened to the wall, on the opposite side there is a 
curiously fashioned chest of drawers, surmounted by an 
elaborate book-case, called by the maker a "Secretary". In 
one corner of the room there is a walnut buflTet, dark and 
rich in color from age, behind the glass doors of which are 
to be seen my mother's treasures of china and glass-ware. 
It is a warm summer day and the window^s are all thrown 
open to admit the air. From the rear windows there is a 
pleasant view of green grass and trees, and some tall lager- 
stroemia's in full bloom just beyond the entrance of the 
garden. A humming bird with his brilliant livery of green 



4 Eemlniscences of Nevherry. 

and gold flashing in the sunlight, flits to and fro across the 
windows as he regales himself from the blooming climbers, 
trained against the wall of the house outside. A child's 
crib in which my youngest brother, less than one j^ear of 
age, is breathing his last, has been placed in the center of 
the room. Around this the familj^ have gathered I see 
my mother, with the tears streaming down her cheeks ; my 
father calm and composed but exhibiting marks of a severe 
inward struggle, while a dear sister who "has always been 
my guardian angel has her arms around me ; and thus we 
watch the little sufferer as his life ebbs away. 

In the long record of the years which lie between tiiese 
incidents of my childhood and the present : 

"What tragedies what comedies are there: 
What joy and grief, what rapture and despair, 
What chronicles of triumpli and defeat, 
Of struggle, and temptation, and retreat." 

There are scenes which stand out boldly against the back- 
ground of the past. There are others onlj^ dimly shadowed 
forth ; and many more which appear to be almost oblitera- 
ted. 

I have never kept a diary, and only a few of the friends 
of those about whom I propose to write, have been able to 
furnish me with records of value. I must therefore depend 
chiefly upon my memory. Only those who have under- 
taken similar work, can appreciate the difflculties which 
lie before me. 

DeQuincy observes : "what else than a natural and 
mighty palimpsest* is the human brain ? such a palimpsest 

* A parchment (used by the ancients) on which the original writing 
has been effaced and something eke has been written. When parch- 
ment was not supplied in sufficient quantities, the monks and others 
used to wash or rub out the writing in a parchment and use itagain , 
as they did not wash or rub it out entirely, many works have been 
recovered by modern ingenuity. 



IteiHiniscences of Neirbemj. 5 

is my brain ; sucli a palimpsest, Oh ! reader is yours. Ever- 
lasting layers of ideas, images, feelings, have fallen upon your 
brain soft as light. Each succession has seemed to bury all 
that went before. And yet in reality not one has been 
extinguished." 

Now while all this may be true, and that under certain 
conditions, such as the consciousness of the near approach 
ot death, or while under the influence of fever, or opium ; 
"all the mysterious hand-writings of grief or joy which have 
inscribed themselves successively on the brain, may be 
revived," yet we know that under ordinary circumstances 
the memory is very capricious, and often refuses to 
respond to the demands which are made upon it. 

Sometimes it is obedient and prompt, at other times ob- 
stinate and rebellious and then again tyranical and oppres- 
sive compelling the mind to dwell upon some unpleasant 
and painful incident and refusing to allow it to be dismiss- 
ed. 

Those of my readers who may miss some things which 
they expected to see in these pages will now, I trust under- 
stand why they do not appear. 

In the year 18.3:2, I began my school life. This was my 
first great trial. I was a ditfldent child, fond of home, and 
never so happy as when following my mother, as she went 
about her daily tasks ; watching her busy fingers and listen- 
ing to her sweet voice as she sung some old familiar song. 
The night preceding the day on which I was to enter 
school, I went to bed with a heavy heart, and sobbed 
myself to sleep. In the morning when the sun came 
peeping in at the window I did not welcome his appear- 
ance. Until that morning, 

"He never came a wink too soon, 
Nor brought too long a day ;" 



6 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

but his arrival that day brought back all my forebodings of 
trouble. 

Very soon a servant came in and proceeded to array me 
in a new suit, made for the occasion. The house cat follow- 
ed, purring and pressing her sleek sides against my legs, 
looked up into my face and said, as plain as a dumb thing 
could, "what is the matter with my little master, that he 
does not stroke my back and carry me in his arms down to 
the breakfast room?" 

After breakfast with a "blue backed" Webster's Spelling 
Book in my hand, a biscuit in each of my jacket pockets, 
and with a heart heavier far than the combined M'eight of 
the book and the biscuits, I was led away to school by a 
sister older than myself, who was tolbe my companion, and 
who had always watched over me with tender solicitude. 

How strangely changed everything appeared that morn- 
ing. There before my eyes were the woodbines and yellow 
jasmines which I had helped my mother to train against 
the wall of the house, the old apple tree under whose 
spreading branches I was accustomed to retreat from the 
heat of the sun ; and the soft green turf beneath the locust 
trees where I had so often rested from my play, but all the 
light and beauty of them seemed to have disappeared. 
Alas ! how often in maturer life, do we not, under the 
shadows of grief and disappointment, experience such sad 
transformations, 

" Seldom wiien life is maiure, and the strengtli proportioned to tlie 
burden, 

Will the feeling mind, that can remember, acknowledge to deeper 
anguish 

Than when, as a stranger and a little one, the heart first ached 
with anxiety. 

And the sprouting buds of sensibility were braised by the harsh- 
ness of a school." 



Eoniniscences of Newberry. 7 

The schoolhouse to which I was sent stood on the corner 
of Caldwell and Boundary streets, diagonally opposite the 
Ba|)tist Parsonage. The school was taught by the Rev. 
Samuel P. Pressly, an Associate Reformed Presbyterian 
minister, assisted by Miss Clark a " Yankee school marm." 
The first floor, one large room, was occupied by the primary 
department, presided over by Miss Clark, who was a stern 
disciplinarian; the second floor by higher classes, under 
the tuition of Mr. Pressly. But what they did "up stairs," 
or how that part of the house appeared, I do not know to 
this day. I could hear the tramp of feet and the murmer of 
voices over my head, but was never allowed to go up, indeed 
I had no desire to go, the first floor had terrors enough for 
me. 

The terror of my childhood was a thunder storm, when- 
ever one came up, I did not feel safe until I had buried my 
face in my mother's lap and felt her hands resting on my 
head. 

One warm spring day while at Mr. Pressly 's school a 
dark cloud arose in the west accompanied by much light- 
ning and thunder. I began to sob and cry piteously. The 
thought of my absent mother filled me with a new horror. 
Miss Clark heard my sobbings and sternly ordered me to 
cease crying at once, or she would punish me. To convince 
me of her determination, she sent out a boy larger than 
myself to bring in a switch. The boy who was sent out was 
my honor( d friend Simeon Pratt, so well known in New- 
berry. When he returned he had in his hand a branch, 
with some blossoms left on the small end, broken from a 
peach tree in fall bloom. With that peculiar gentleness of 
manner, and softness of tone in speaking, which has 
always characterized him ; he said to me as he passed by, on 
his way to deliver the twig to Miss Clark : "^ee ! my dear 



8 Reminiscences of Xewherry. 

John what a beautiful switch I have brought for you to be 
punished with." I did not at the time perceive the beauties 
of the switch nor appreciate the motive of my friend, whose 
intention no doubt was to divert my thoughts from the 
thunder storm. I have long since forgiven him however 
for his share in the matter, but have never been able to find 
excuse or justification for the stern cruelty of Miss Clark in 
seeking to quiet the fears of a terror-stricken child by a 
resort to threats of punishment. 

Anything ludicrous which has actually happened under 
my observation, has generally made a more lasting impres- 
sion on my memory than other things of a more sober and 
serious character. I cannot account for this and have 
sometimes had cause to regret it. 

A ludicrous incident which happened at Mr. Pressly's 
school I have never forgotten. 

A long bench without a back, placed about midway in 
the schoolroom, was occupied by a class of small boys to 
which I belonged. I sat near one end of the bench. One 
day while Miss Clark was busily occupied, and had her 
back turned towards us, we became very much interested 
in a whispered discussion about watermelons. One boy 
^aid "I wish I had a watermelon as large as my head;" 
another boy said "I wish T had one as large as the water 
bucket.'' Not to be outdone I got astride the bench, and 
sliding back as I measured it, began to mark out the size of 
an imaginary watermelon which was to be larger than all 
others, suddenly there was a crash, and T found myself on 
the floor, with mj'^ heels in the air. The next moment I 
was grasped by the collar of my jacket, and lifted upon my 
feet by Miss Clark and made to "see stars" by slaps inflicted 
upon my cheeks with her broad palms. 

Mv next teacher was James Divver who taught in a house 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 9 

which stood upon the present site of the county jail. At 
that time there was a bold spring of refreshingly cool water, 
a few rods west of the schoolhouse, surrounded by some 
large beech trees. In addition to the schoolhouse Mr. 
Divver owned and lived in the house which still stands 

on the north \^e^t corner of Harrington and 

streets now occupied by Mr. Knighton. 

Very little is known of Mr Divver's early history. He 
emigrated from Ireland and landed in New Brunswick 
sometime previous to the year 1<S19. In that year he came 
to Newberry on foot, with all his world y possessions tied 
up in a bundle and slung across his shoulders. He was at 
once employed to teach a country school somewhere in the 
district. In 1820 he was a pupil in the Newberry Academy, 
and afterwards attended a school in Laurens District. In 
1822 he entered the junior class of the South Carolina Col- 
lege, and was graduated in 1824. Upon his graduation he 
he was elected tutor of mathematics in his alma matei'. 
Judge O'Neall in his Annals, says of Mr Divver : " Such 
unexampled succe.-s attending the course of a stranger 
indicated rare qualities of head and heart, such had James 
Divver. He was one of the best mathematicians ever grad- 
uated in the South Carolina College ; he was a true Irishman 
generous and devoted. But an unfortunate habit, too 
much indulged in, of using intoxicating drink made it 
necessary for him to resign his position in the College." 

Mr. Divver (3ame back to Newberry in 1828, and took 
charge of the Academy. In December, 1833, he removed to 
Charleston, S, C , where he died in 1847. 

It aftbrd-s me much pleasure to say that my respected 
teacher, for several years previous to his death, abstained 
entirely from the use of intoxicating drinks, and led a 
consistent. Christian life. 



CHAPTER II. 



Old time domestic economy— polly goulding — 
schools and masters again— mcgovern— dick 
cahill— old billy cahill — rencounter be- 
tween bill pearce and mcgovern— rolly 
hughes — death of albert johnstone— rea^ j, 

GALLOWAY— "SHINNEY" — REV. MR. CHAPLAIN AND 
MR,— WILI:Y, both new ENGLAND TEACHERS — NEW 
METHODS OF TEACHING AND DISCIPLINE INTRODUCPJD 
— DANIEL A. DOBSON, HIS WONDERFUL ATTAINMENTS 
AND EARLY DEATH. 



"Oh ye who teach the ingenuous youth of nations, 
Holland, France, England, Germany or Spain, 
I pray ye fllog them upon all occasions, 
It mends their morals never mind the pain." 

Don-Juan. 

Y mother was a staunch believer in the value and econ- 
omj^ of home products. Until I was probably fifteen 
years of age, all my suits of clothing except some special 
ones reserved for "Sunday wear" were made of cloth mo ven 
from thread spun by her servants. The weaving was all 
done by Miss Polly Goulding who lived "all alone'' in a 
little cabin about two miles from the village. 

Polly was a frequent visitor to our house. Every one on 
the premises except my parents were afraid of her, and 
even they permitted her to have her own way in everything, 

In appearance she bore a strong resemblance to the 



lieminiscences of Newberry. 11 

pictures of old women riding on broom-sticks across the 
face of the moon, which we sometimes see in children's toy 
books. She always spoke in sharp, quick tones, and was 
seldom seen to laugh. She would generally come in 
through the back door without knocking, walk into my 
mother's room, and deposit on the floor a bundle which she 
always brought with her, and after lighting her pipe and 
sitting some time with her elbows resting on her knees and 
her hands supporting her chin, w^ould begin to inquire 
after the family, makirg comments as she went along, and 
giving my mother directions about the management of her 
domestic affairs. She came in one day and found me in 
the act of taking some quinine to ward off a chill. She 
railed out against such folly, and denounced in unmeas- 
ured terms all sorts of "doctor truck" and declared that if 
I did not send out some of the "niggers" to get some 'pine 
tops and mullen" and have them "biled" and drink the 
lea, I never would get well. One of her eccentricities was, 
that she always reversed her position in bed. She enter- 
tained some superstitious notion about this, which she 
never would disclose. Her life and character illustrated 
the fact that it is possible for some persons to spend a life- 
time in a civilized and enlightened community, and never 
change in their habits nor make any } rogress in intellect- 
ual improvement. She knew no more when she died at a 
good eld age, than she did when she was twenty years old. 
Nothing that the family could do, would induce her to 
change her style of dress, her habits or her views of life, 
But with all her eccentricity she was scrupulously honest, 
truthful and faithful, and in her simple way served God to 
the best of her ability. While she never said so much as 
"thank you," for any kindness rendered, I believe there 
w^as no sacrifice she would not have made for my parents. 



12 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

Polly was never married. I suppose she was young once 
but it must have been in years only. I think she never 
knew anything about the hopes and joyful anticipations of 
girlhood, I never heard any one speak of her youth, nor 
did she ever refer to it herself, she had a great contempt for 
men, and with a few exceptions, heartily despised them all. 
She honored and trusted my father. 

It is quite probable that the cost per yard of Polly's cloth 
was more than the price asked for goods of equal value in 
the village stores. Doubtless my father with his clear head 
for business knesv this, but he was too wise to hint such a 
thing to my mother. It would have shaken her faith in her 
wonderful industrial system, by which, under the guise of 
receiving compensation for services rendered, Polly and 
other poor women were really the recipients of her bounty 
I now return to my school life. 

The next teacher who comes to view in the dim vista of 

the past is Mr. McGovern, a squint-eyed, irritable, tyrannic 

Irishman, who was the terror of the small boys in the 

school. 

"Well had Ihe boding tremblers learned to trace 

The day's disasters in his morning face ; 

Full well they laughed with counterfeited glee 

At all his jokes, for many a joke had he; 

"Full well the busy whisper circling round, 

Conveyed the dismal tidings when he frowned." 

Where he came from to Newberry or what became of him 
after he left I do not know. He first taught in what was 
then known as the "Red Plouse", (a two story building 
with one end on the street,) which stood on the north side 
of Boice street about midway between Caldwell and Adams 
streets. 

I entered McGovern's school during the exciting days of 
"Nullification". I wore a suit of clothes made from the 



Biiniiuscences of Ntitherry. 13 

product of Polly Gonldiug's loom ; the jacket of which was 
profusely ornamented with brass buttons upon which the 
coat of arms of the State \a as stamped. These buttons were 
generally worn by the, so called, nullifters, in the centre of 
cockades on the outside of their hats. My mother had 
ornamented my jacket with them to please my father who 
belonged to the ''Nullification Party." 

Among the larger boys at McGovern's school, Dick Cahill 
was a conspicuous character. He was the butt of the school, 
against whom the boys of his set, constantly directed their 
ridicule, and whenever he exhibited too much resentment, 
they did not hesitate to pummel him into submission. Poor 
Dick ! I can see him now as he appeared after one of these 
''scrimmages," his shirt front torn open, disclosing a fearful 
bruise on his chest, his hair disheveled, and the tears stream- 
ing (^ovvn his cheeks, while he upbraided his comrades 
with their lack of manliness and fairplay. 

Notwithstanding all his harsh treatment Dick never 
seemed to harbor a spirit of revenge, and was always ready 
to take the lead, and become the scape-goat in any frolic- 
some adventure that might be proposed. He wandered 
away in his early manhood, and after leading a wild, dissi- 
pated life, returned to Newberry just before the recent war, 
and died in a room adjoining Julius B. Smith's drinking 
saloon. Poor fellow ! I cannot think of his sad end without 
regret. With all his faults, he had a warm place in my 
heart. He always stood forth as the champion of the 
oppressed, and at school would never allow a small boy to 
be bullied or hectored by one of superior growth and 
strength. 

Old Billy Cahill, (generally called Carroll,) the father of 
Dick, was a simple-hearted, ignorant Irish laborer, very 
honest and faithful. He was often emplo3'ed by Cha?icelIor 



14 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

Job Johnstone, and very kindly treated by the Chancellor's 
family. One evening he was sitting with the family listen- 
ing to the Chancellor as he read some amusing Irish stories. 
When the time for family prayer arrived, the Chancellor 
exchanged the book from which he had been reading, for 
his Bible, and after a short pause, began to read the fourth 
chapter of the Gospel by John. Old Billy who sat looking 
into the fire, did not observe the change, and as he knew 
very little of the contents of the Bible, naturally supposed 
that he was listening to another Irish story, but did not 
seem to be much interested until the Chancellor read the 
reply of the Saviour to the woman of Samaria, who had 
just said I have no husband : "Thou hast well said I have 
no iiusband, for thou hast had five husbands, and he whom 
thou now hast is not thy husband : in that thou saidst 
truly." Here Old Billy nudged one of the Chancellor's 
sons, who was sitting near, and giving him a knowing 
wink, remarked in a very audible whisper, " Be-gonney that 
was cute." It is needless to say that it required all the 
self-control and parental authority that the Chancellor and 
Mrs. Johnstone could exercise to carry them safely through 
the evening service. 

At McGovern's school I began to study arithmetic. We 
had no series of books then, conveniently arranged for 
primary, intermediate and advanced classes. All pupils 
used Stephen Pike's Arithmetic. This book, like Web- 
ster's "blue backed" spelling book was always bound in 
one style of binding. It was printed on dingy, bluish paper 
and bound in some material of a pale brick-dust color. The 
edges of the leaves were sprinkled to correspond with the 
color of the binding. Even a new copy had a fossiliferous 
appearance. It almost made one thirsty to look at it. 

I was furnished with a copy of Pike and a new slate, and 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 15 

without previous instruction or explanation, was directed 
by "Old Mack," one Monday morning to "begin cipher- 
ing." Under the excitement of the occasion I found it 
well nigh impossible to work out a solution of the first 
example in addition. 

Dick Cahill, seeing my embarrassment kindly offered to 
assist me. This he could do, as we were not immediately 
under the eye of the teacher at the time. After adding up 
the columns of figures and writing down the result under- 
neath, Dick directed me to carefully remove his figures 
with the moistened end of my finger, and substitute my 
own in tlieir place. I followed his instructions and then 
inarched up to exhibit my work to the teacher. Unfortu- 
nately, as the sequel proved, I overlooked' one of Dick's 
figures. 

Old Mack looked at my slate for a moment and then with 
a fierce scowl on his face demanded : " Who did this sum 
for you my boy ?" Quaking with fear and smarting under 
a sense of humiliation, I determined at once to imitate George 
Washington with his little hatchet, by making a " clean 
breast of it." With a meek and quavering voice, I answer- 
ed ; "Dick Carroll did it sir." Now my boy "replied Old 
Mack ; "If I catcli you at such a trick again, I'll make 
those nullification buttons fly from that coat of yours" 

With this brilliant start and under the stimulating 
encouragement of my teacher I began to ascend the arith- 
metical ladder. 

McGovern sometimes came to the school-room in the 
afternoon about " half seas over " and on such (,>ccasions he 
had an alarming way of propounding unheard of questions 
to the scholars. On one of these afternoons he had a number 
of us— composing the primary class, standing before him 
and reciting by turns the multiplication table. When the 



16 Reminiscences of Neirherry. 

boy at the foot of the class had reached the bottom of the 
last column and called out in clear confident tones twelve 
times twelve are one hundred and forty four," we 
breathed more freely, and congratulated ourselves that our 
troubles were over for that afternoon. But we soon discov- 
ered our mistake, McGovern looked at us for some time 
through his half closed eyes and after rolling a large quid 
of tobacco from one side of his mouth to the other, asked; 
" How^ much is quadruple times fifteen: '• We looked at 
each other for some time in blank amazement, but no one of 
us ventured to reply. He then said "Well if you can't 
answer that question tell me how much is sextuple times 
twenty " By this time we were reduced to a condition of 
mind bordering on despair and the hair on our heads was 
Avell nigh standing on end. The very sound of those tw^o 
tremendous words the meaning of which, we did 
not in the remotest degree comprehend, filled us with 
consternation. But to our great relief he presently dismiss- 
ed us with the remark that we were a set of dullards.'^" 

We wondered at the time why he let us off so easily. It 
must have been because he was shrewd enough, even with 
some whiskey in his head, to understand ; that while he 
could with impunity punish his scholars for failures in 
their recitations, he would not be sustained by his patrons 
in p>unishing them for not answering questions, which 
were not in their books. '^^'^-^ 

One day near the Fourth of July it was whispered around 

in McGovern's school that there would be an important 

* In those early days, the authority of a teacher was, by common 
consent, almost unlimited. Parents considered it of the utmost im- 
portance to support his authority, and except in extraordinary cases 
would not listen to complaints from their children. On the contrary 
if they did complain, would rebuke them for "telling tales out of 
school. " 



Reminiscences of Nevherry. 17 

meeting of the scholars after dismission. After the school 
closed Dick Cahill proposed that, on the next day, we 
should "turn out" the teacher and demand a week's holiday. 
This proposition was unanimously agreed to. The next 
day when McGovern came, he found the door of the school 
room closed, and while attempting to force it open, was 
hailed by Dick Cahill, (who as usual occupied the post of 
danger, and was standing in a door which opened on the 
street from the upper story,) and informed of the demand of 
the school for a holiday. At least half of the male popula- 
tion of the village, had by this time assembled in the 
street in front of the schoolhouse, to enjoy the fun. 
McGovern raved and threatened dire punishment on the 
whole school as he walked back and forth in front of the 
door, leering at Dick and charging him with being the 
instigator of the diabolical plot. But Dick defied him and 
stood his ground, while the crowd in the street laughed 
and jeered. Finally Mc Govern ordered every boy to be at 
his post the next morning at the usual hour, and walked 
off. The next morning McGovern found the door open, 
but the boys, led on by Dick would not yield their demand. 
After a long parley "Old Mack" succumbed and we had our 
holiday. This was probably the last exhibition of the 
time honored custom of "turning out a teacher" witnessed 
in Newberry. 

After leaving the Red House, McGovern opened a school 
in a house which stood on the northwest corner of Holman 
and Johnstone streets. In that house I began to study 
English grammar. I do not remember how I managed to 
get through the early chapters of "Lindley Murray," but I 
have a vivid recollection of terrors by day and disturbed 
dreams by night from apprehensions, of the application of 

McGovern's rod to my shoulders. 

2 



18 Reininiscences of Newberry. 

L G a member of our grammar class was a very 

dull boy ; spoke in a slow, drawling manner, often played 
truant, and had brought down upon himself McGovern's 
stern displeasure. 

At one of our recitations, L was examined in Gender. 

"What is gender" ask McGovern. 

"Gender is the distinction of sex," replied L 

" How many genders are there ?" 

"Three." 

"Name them." 

" Masculine, Feminine and, and" 

"Out with it! Out with it! Sir!" 

" Masculine, Feminine and, and 

Here, McGovern took down from two nails driven in the 
wall, a long, keen switch, and brandishing it over L's 
head, ordered him to answer the question at once, or be 
flogged. In a desperate attempt to escape the dilemma, 
L made a leap across the floor, and exclaimed at the top of 
his voice, "adjective!" This brought down the house. 
Old Mack himself could not refrain from laughing, and 
even the small boys who had been very much frightened 
ventured to laugh behind their books. L very unexpect- 
edly escaped punishment, and McGovern predicted that he 
would surely become a great man. Like other tyrants, 
McGovern was destined to meet with a downfall. 

Among his scholars, there was a stalwart young fellow 
named Bill Pearce. Bill's parents were poor, and he had 
received very little education, he was therefore assigned to 
a class of boys much younger than himself. For some 
reason McGovern entertained a special dislike to this boy. 
One day while the class of which Bill was a member Avere 
sitting on a bench together, some boy, who was probably 
learning to chew tobacco, had soiled the floor near Bill's 



J^eminiscences of Neiuherry, 19 

feet. As soon as McGovern discovered this he caught up 
his switch, and coming up to Bill, charged him in an angry- 
manner with tlie offence, and threatened to "larrup" him 
if he repeated it. Bill declared he was not the offender. 
McGovern insisted that he (Bill) was not only the offender, 
but was adding to his disgrace by attempting to lie out of 
the difficulty, and brought down his switch heavily across 
his shoulders. The next moment Bill sprang to his feet, 
and striking out vigorously with his right arm, planted a 
blow on McGovern's temple that sent him spinning over 
the floor, and landed him with a crash across a desk which 
intercepted his fall. Bill quietly put on his hat and left 
the house. McGovern recovered himself with some diffi- 
culty from his prostrate position, and sitting down in his 
chair, spent some time in chafing his temples, and feeling 
for bruises on his arms and legs. 

Their encounter naturally created great excitement among 
the scholars. The larger boys chuckled behind their books, 
but " we small boys" were too much alarmed to think of 
laughing. Our consternation knew no bounds. We could 
think of nothing more frightful than the tragedy we had 
just witnessed, except the end of the world. How any 
scholar could have the courage to knock down a man cloth- 
ed with the mighty power of a teacher, and such a stern 
and implacable teacher as "Old Mack" was, we 'could not 
understand. 

Bill returned in a few days, and took his accustomed seat. 
McGovern eyed him askance for some time, then said, 
"Well, William, have you come back to school?" "Yes, sir," 
answered Bill. "Well now, William," replied McGovern, 
* behave yourself, and we will let by-gones be by-gones." 

Whatever the opinion of the reader may be in regard to 
the conduct of Bill Pearce, candor compels me to say, that 



20 /Reminiscences of Newberry. 

it had a most salutaiy effect upon McGoveru. It made 
him far more considerate of the rights of the boys ever after 

During this period of my life, I was made very sad, by 
the departure from the village of one, and the death of 
another, of the best beloved of my schoolmates. 

Mr. Hughes (who came from Kershaw District) kept 

the Newberry Hotel. He had a son whom we called Roily. 
I do not remember what his real name was. I became 
warmly attached to this boy. He was kind-hearted, gentle 
and confiding. 

During Mr. Hughes' short sojourn in Newbeny, he lost 
by death several members of his family including his wife. 

On the day that Mrs. Hughes died, while I was walking 
along the street in front of the Hotel, I heard my name 
called, and looking up saw Roily at a window. Never can 
I forget his look of grief and despair as he stretched out his 
hands toward me, and with tears streaming down his 
cheeks, exclaimed, "Oh ! John, my mother, my dear mother 
is dead." I could not find words with which to give ex- 
pression to the sympathy and compassion I felt, and could 
only look with tearful eyes and in silence upon the specta- 
cle of my unhappy schoolmate, until he slowly sank upon 
the floor, and disappeared from my view. Roily left New- 
berry shortly after his mother's death, and I never saw him 
again. 

I cannot account for it, yet amid all the vicissitudes of 
half a century, that sorrow stricken face of Roily Hughes, 
just as I saw it the day his mother died, has never forsaken 
me, and I am sure it will go with me to the end of my life. 

Shortly after Rolly's departure, Albert Johnstone, the 
son of Chancellor Job Johnstone, the other schoolmate to 
whom I have just referred, died at the early age of eleven 
years. 



Remuilscences of Newberry. 21 

Albert was greatly beloved by all his schoolfellows and I 
may add feared by some of them ; not on account of his 
superior physical strength, nor because he was unjust or 
overbearing in disposition, but because of his ready wit and 
wonderful satirical powers. His wit was as keen as a 
Damascus blade, and woe betide the boy who became the 
object of his satire. But while he could vanquish an oppo- 
nent he never exulted over him. He had a keen sense of 
humor, and would often have his' companions convulsed 
with laughter, but seldom laughed himself. He was the 
embodiment of truth and honor and was frank and generous. 
He was one of the brightest and noblest boys I ever knew. 

Among other teachers from whom I received instruction 
I shall only speak of the Rev. Jonathan Galloway, Rev. A. 
J. Chaplain, Mr. Wiley, and Daniel A. Dobson. 

Mr. Galloway was an Associate Reformed Presbyterian 
minister, and the father of the Miss Galloway, who a few 
years ago went as a missionary to Egypt, and died there. 

In person Mr. Galloway was tall, lean and angular, his 
figure and deportment suggesting to the mind an ideal 
Scotch Covenanter. He was of the stuff that martyrs are 
made of. He would, no doubt, have died in defence of his 
religious principles. He was quiet and imperturbable in 
manner, and a firm believer in the doctrine, that to spare 
the rod is to spoil the child. His use of the rod was vigor- 
ous and impartial, he applied it alike to all who disobeyed 
his rules, respecting neither size nor age. 

At Mr. Galloway's school, some boys, who had just re- 
turned from the celebrated school of Dr. Waddel at Willing- 
ton in Abbeville District, introduced a new game called 
"Shinney." This game was played v>ith a small ball and 
stout sticks about three feet long, with one end bent like a 
shepherd's crook. Two squads of small boys armed with 



22 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

these sticks ranged themselves on either side of a long 
narrow plot of ground chosen for the }Durpose. At a given 
signal the leader of one of these squads would drop the ball 
and then the struggle began. The squad which first suc- 
ceeded in sending the ball through wickets set up at a given 
distance from the centre of the ground, by striking it with 
their sticks, won the game. If a member of one squad, in 
his efforts to strike the ball with his stick, got on the oppo- 
site side of the ground, any member of that side had the 
right, after warning him, to strike him on the shins with a 
stick, if he did not at once retreat to his own side. 

It was a dangerous game. Many an awkward blow was 
struck in the skurry and excitement of the play, but its very 
danger made it the more attractive to school boys. 

It was not uncommon for boys to go home in the evening 
with half closed eyes, or with blue streaks on their shins, 
from the effects of thwacks received in the game. 

The Rev. Mr. Chaplain (a Baptist minister) and Mr. Wiley 
both came from New England, in response to applications 
made by the Trustees of the Newberry Academy, for teach- 
ers, to some Educational Bureau or Teacher's Agency in 
Boston. I do not remember which of them came first. 
They were both thoroughly educated but had very little ex- 
perience as teachers. They both undertook to introduce 
an entirely new system of teaching and discipline. They 
addressed the boys as young gentlemen, pronounced the 
use of the rod a species of barbarism, and left everything to 
the honor of the boys. Among other reformations they 
required us to pronounce our a's broad. How we laughed 
at each other when we first began this, and what wonder 
and astonishment we created when we began to use our 
broad a's at home. 

Some boys who were ambitious and studious made 



Reminiscences of Newberry. ■ 23 

very good progress under the tuition of tliese New England 
teachers, but for the most part tlie scholars had a jolly time. 
They did as they pleased, knowing that the worst that 
could befall them would be to receive demerit marks, and 
hear a lecture on the moral aspect of their conduct. This 
was all wrong of course, but I have no doubt, that release 
from the unnecessary stern discipline of former teachers, 
influenced their conduct in no small degree. 

Neither Mr. Chaplain nor Mr. Wiley tarried long in 
Newberry. I suppose they found Southern boys too much 
for them. 

Dr. Daniel A. Dobson, my last teacher, was a native of 
North Carolina, and was graduated from Chapel Hill Col- 
lege in that State. He had charge for some time of an 
academy near Dr, Geo. W. Glenn's, and came from that 
place to take charge of the Newberry Academy, (probably 
in 1840 or 1841.) 

Dr. Dobson was a ripe scholar, and with the exception of 
Paul Johnstone, Esq., was the most thorough mathemati- 
cian of his day, in Newberry. Irritability of temper inter- 
fered somewhat with his success as a teacher. But for this 
infirmity, he would have been the most admirable instruc- 
tor of youth I ever knew. 

After teaching some years, he entered the office of Dr. 
Benjamin Waldo at Newberry ; pursued a course of reading, 
and was graduated from the Medical College of Charleston, 
S. C. After his graduation, he entered upon the practice 
of medicine in Newberry. 

In 1848, at the request of his friends and patrons, Mr. and 
Mrs. Robert Stewart, he went to Mexico to superintend the 
removal of the remains of their son. Lieutenant John W. 
Stewart, of the Palmetto Regiment, to Newberry. Soon after 
his return from Mexico, he died at the house of Mr. Stewart. 



24 Reininiscences of Newberry. 

Dr. Dobson was an omnivorous reader, he read all sorts of 
books, and extended his enquiries into every department of 
human knowledge, he was a diligent reader of the Bible. 
His wonderful memory seemed to retain and hold ready 
for use every thing that he had ever read or heard. He 
was a walking cyclopedia, and his knowledge was not 
superficial, but thorough. His usual habit was to spend 
the whole of one night, at least, in every week in reading. 

Dr. Dobson was extremely sensitive, and his tempera- 
ment quite variable. He was often despondent and melan- 
choly, and would imagine that his best friends were not as 
considerate of his feelings as they should have been. All 
this influenced him at times to take a pessimistic view of 
human affairs and tended to make him unhappy. I came 
in for my share of his frowns, but would not let him break 
with me. I Was too grateful for the thorough instruction 
which he gave me at school, as well as the more valuable 
instruction and advice he gave me afterwards, especially 
w^ith reference to my reading. Beside T could not deny 
myself the benefit derived from his brilliant and entertain- 
ing talks ; indeed I am sure that all of his friends, while 
they regretted his infirmities of temper, believed that he 
had no malice in his heart, and remained faithful to him. 

I always look back with sorrow and regret upon his un- 
happy life and untimely end. With his brilliant talents 
and wonderful attainments in knowledge, he should have 
been a prominent and distinguished man. 

He died on the 8th day of August, 1848, not having lived 
out half ihe allotted time of man's brief existence. His body 
is sleeping in the old Aveleigh Cemetery near the present 
residence of J. A. Crotwell. 



CHAPTER III. 



Birds-eye view of newberry fifty years ago— dr. m, 

T. MENDENHALD— ROBe'kT STEWART— a TYPICAL OLD 
TIME STORE — M. W. GRACY — A CELEBRATED RACE 
HORSE— THE OLD SHOE STORE — GOUVERNEUR THOMP- 
SOn— CIRCUS AND MENAGERIE SHOW BILLS— WHY 
THE CIRCUS AND MENAGERIE WERE UNITED (aiiec- 
dote)— ANTOINE GILBAL— MYSTERY OF HIS FORMER 
LIFE— HIS ECCENTRICITIES— HIS HORSEMANSHIP — 
SOLOMON'S SONG. 



"Ah me! the fifty years since last we met, 
Seem to me fifty folios bound, and set 
By Time, the great transcriber, on his shelves 
Wherein are written the histories of ourselves." 

LoyGFKLiL.ow.—2iIoi-iticri Salutamus. 



Fifty years ago, the town of Newberry contained probably 
not more than three or four hundred inhabitants, 
nearly half of whom were negro slaves. There were only 
two or three residences north of the northern branch of 
Scott's Creek. West of the track of the Columbia and 
Greenville Railroad, only the old Nance Mansion, recently 
destroyed by fire ; the Male Academy, and one other build- 
ing were then standing. Southward the town did not 
extend beyond the old Cemetery, while its eastern limits 
did not extend beyond the present line of Calhoun street. 
The only brick buildings in the town, were the Court 
House, Robert Stewart's store-4iouse on the south side of 



26 Reminiscences of Newherry. 

Court House Square, the old Newberry Hotel, one or two 
buildings on the north side of Pratt street, between Cald- 
well and Adams streets ; and a two-story dwelling which 
■stood on the present site of the Crotwell Hotel. The old 
jail just in rear of the Court House was built of stone. The 
western wall of the terrace, upon which the Soldier's Mon- 
ument now stands, embraces a part of the rear wall of the 
old jail. All the other buildings of the town were con- 
structed of wood. 

Pratt, (then called Main street.) did not extend beyond 
Thomas Pratt's storehouse, which stood opposite the south- 
ern door of the present Court House. The hotel now called 
the Fallaw House was owned and occupied as a dwelling 
by Mr. Thomas Pratt, The ground now covered by build- 
ings on the south side of Pratt street, between Nance and 
McKibben streets, was then a part of Mr. Pratt's vegetable 
garden. McKibben street ended where it now intersects 
Pratt street. A broad, deep gully, impassable by vehicles 
of any kind, began near the western end of Mr. Pratt's 
storehouse, and winding around below the public well, 
(then an open natural fountain called the public spring) 
continued on until it reached Scott's Creek, Friend street 
ended where it now intersects McKibben street. There 
were no buildings in that part of the present town embraced 
within the space bounded by McKibben, Friend and Har- 
rington streets, and the track of the Columbia and Green- 
ville Rail Way, except a servant's house, and stables 
belonging to Mr. Pratt, a small cottage perched on the side 
of the hill near the site of the Rail Way water tank, and 
occupied by Mrs. Esther Moore, a very intelligent, but 
somewhat eccentric Irish widow, and a cabin near the site 
of Taylor's blacksmith shop, occupied by Hannah Mike, an 
old free negro woman, who was a sort of factotum to many 



Reminiscences of Neivberry. 27 

families of the village, and reigned supreme in the kitchen 
at wedding feasts and at " hog killings." 

The principal business houses stood on three sides of the 
Court House Square and on Pratt street between Caldwell 
and Adams streets. Most of them were of one story, with 
piazzas in front. Of all the houses which then composed 
the town there remain only about twenty, and most of 
these have been remodeled. 

Upon the present site of the ^^Herald and Neius^' office, at 
the northeast corner of Friend and Caldwell streets, stood 
a small two story frame building, occupied by Marmaduke 
Thomas Mendenhall, M. D., as an office. The Doctor also 
built, and during his stay in Newberry, resided in the 
house on the south side of McKibben street, now owned 
and occupied by Mrs. Martha Harp. At the time of its 
erection this building was the most spacious and costly 
private residence in Newberry. 

Dr. Mendenhall was born in Guilford County, North 
Carolina, on the 8th of December, 1798. His parents were 
members of the Society of Friends. He was graduated in 
medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1822, and 
entered upon the practice of his chosen jorofession in his 
native State. 

He was married on the 18th of March, 1824, to Miss 
Phoebe Kirk, of Newberry District, (whose parents were 
also members of the Society of Friends,) and soon after 
removed to the valuable farm, about four miles south of the 
village, which his wife had inherited from her father. 

In 1830 he removed to the village of Newberry. During 
his entire residence in Newberry he continued, successfully 
and with growing reputation, in the practice of medicine, 
a profession for which he was eminently qualified, and 
adapted, and which many of his friends thought he never 



28 Reminiscences of Newherry. 

should have abandoned. In 1837 he gave w^ the practice of 
medicine, and removed to the City of Charleston to engage 
in mercantile business, which he pursued with varying 
fortunes until 1847, when he was elected Judge of the Court 
of Ordinary for Charleston District. I think he continued 
in this office until his death, which occurred on the 2nd 
day of November, 1852. 

Through a somewhat checkered commercial career, ex- 
tending over ten years, and ending in disaster, as well as 
throughout his entire and very successful professional and 
official career, T)r. Mendenhall's character as a man of 
integrity was unblemished. He was one of the most 
amiable and polished gentlemen of his day. He was mod- 
est, pious, humane and magnanimous. "So genial was his 
spirit, that he seemed to live in an atmosphere of perpetual 
spring, and he never failed to breathe a sort of blandness 
over the companies in which he mingled, st ^ * * 
He exhibited the sincerity of his disposition in his willing- 
ness to render favors. He never wearied in obeying the 
requests, however whimsical and unreasonable, of friends 
and strangers even. Nothing but a genuine virtue could 
have endured a test so severe. "^ * * ^;- The mental 
endowments of Dr. Mendenhall were such as to fit him for 
the widest usefulness. * ^ * His views on all subjects 
were comprehensive, such as indicated a large mind and 
a liberal heart. * * * With a respectable early education 
he had acquired a decided literary taste, and a fondness for 
reading and scientific investigations, which remained 
unabated amidst all those cares of business, which are apt 
to destroy such a relish. He was extensively acquainted 
with books of a theological and miscellaneous character, a 
judicious critic, and an easy and graceful writer. ^^ * * 
His piety was cheerful, equable and calm, flowing on like 



Reminiscences of Nev'herry. 29 

a placid river that spreads fertility and gladness in its 
noiseless course."* 

The storehouse of Robert Stewart stood on the south side 
of Courthouse Square, on the corner of Pratt and Caldwell 
streets. It was a one story brick building with a broad 
piazza in front, and an annex built of wood running back 
on Caldwell street. The ceiling was ver^^ low and the win- 
dows quite small. Even in the brightest days, there were 
nooks and corners within the old building, into which the 
?ight of the sun never penetrated. In this house Mr. Stew- 
art carried on his business most successfully for nearly half 
a century. What Noah's Ark was to the animal kingdom 
Mr. Stewart's establishment was— in a somewhat limited 
.sense — to the realm of man's ingenuity. 

Mr. Stewart could have fitted out a blacksmith, a wagon- 
maker, a carriage-maker, a builder, a carpenter, a shoe-mak- 
er, a miller, a tanner, a cabinet-maker, or a painter. He 
€ould have furnished all the implements required for the 
farm and garden, beside harness, saddles, bridles and house- 
hold effects. He sold clocks, watches, jewelry, cutlery, 
guns, fishing tackle, millinery, medicines, perfumery, sta- 
tionery, hats, shoes, paints, oils, all kinds of groceries and 
hardware, musical instruments — consisting mostly of jews 
harps, mouth organs, and fiddles, all sorts of dry-goods 
from the coarsest fabrics to the most elegant and costly 
silk and lace worn by the wealthiest and most fashionable 
ladies, and so on " ad irtfinitum.'''' 

Whenever a customer called for an article he did not have 
he immediately entered it upon a memorandum book kept 
for that purpose to be included in his next purchases. He 
was a sagacious, persevering man of business, who studied 

*Discourse by Rev. J. R. Kendrick, D. D., delivered in the 1st Bap- 
tist Church, Charleston, S. C, November 28, 1852. 



30 Reminiscences of Neuherry. 

the wants and tastes of his customers more closely than 
any other merchant of his day, and always sold the best 
quality of goods. 

He constantly overlooked every part of his business. His 
watchful eye seemed never to slumber nor sleep. On one 
occasion he saw one of his customers, a young man of re- 
spectable standing, slily abstract a fine pocket knife from an 
open package and drop it into his pocket. Mr. Stewart said 
nothing to him at the time, but quietly ordered the book 
keeper to charge the knife to the customer's account. At 
the close of the year the young fellow called for his bill, and 
while rending it over was intently watched by Mr. Stewart. 
Presently the young man said : "Sir you have charged a 
pocket knife to me in this bill. I didn't buy one." "No," 
replied Mr. Stewart (in a sharp and somewhat discordant 
tone in Avhich he spoke when angered), '"you didn't, but you 
stole one! " The young fellow paid the bill without another 
word, and left the store. It is probable that Mr. Stewart's 
heroic treatment of his case saved him from a life of shame 
and disgrace into which he might otherwise have drifted. 

Mr. Stewart was emphatically a merchant of the "old 
regime." In common with most of the merchants of New- 
berry, he probably lost all of his estate by the disastrous 
termination of the recent war, and found it well nigh im- 
possible to adapt himself to the changed condition of affairs. 
He struggled on manfully however to the end, but death 
overtook him before he succeeded in extricating himself 
from the difficulties which surrounded him. He died on 
the 24th of August 1869. He was married early in life to 
Miss Eliza R. Ward, of Laurens District, who survived him 
and died in 1879. Mr. Stewart was a member of the Legis- 
lature of South Carolina for one term during the recent 
war. 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 31 

West of and adjoining tlie store of Mr. Stewart, was the 
store of Minor W. Gracey, who came from North Carolina. 
His establishment was a popular resort with the ladies of 
the village, Mr. Gracey was one of the finest specimens of 
physical manhood I ever saw. He was full six feet in 
height, with a full chest and well turned limbs. His head 
was massive but well formed, and with the exception of a 
slight tendency to obesity, and a scarcely perceptible stoop 
of the shoulders, his figure was almost perfect. The habit- 
ual expression of his face denoted sincerity, good-humor 
and cheerfulness, his manner, though somewhat stately, 
invited rather than repelled familiar intercourse. He 
dressed elegantly and in excellent taste, and was probably 
the handsomest man who ever lived in Newberry. It is 
needless to say that he was very popular in the community, 
and much admired by the ladies. 

Mr. Gracey was a great lover of horses, and always owned 
one or more of these noble animals. During his residence 
in Newberry, he at one time owned a handsome gray mare 
which he sold to a horse trader from. Kentucky, who carried 
her to that State, where she afterwards became the dam of 
Gray Eagle, one of the most celebrated racers of his time. 
Some of my readers will doubtless remember the great four 
mile race between Gray Eagle and Wagner, which took 
place at Louisville, Ky., in 1839, and created almost as 
much excitement, especially in the South, as an ordinary 
Presidential election. 

Mr. Gracey was twice married. His first wife was Miss 
Mary Wadlington, of Newberry District, who died in a few ^ ^ 
years after her marriage. His second wife was Mrs. - ^ ^ ^ ' ^ ^ 
Patterson, of Abbeville District. He removed to Alabama 
many years ago, and died there, leaving no descendants. 

On the east side of Court House Square, at the intersection 



32 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

of Pratt and Caldwell streets, stood an old one-story frame 
building, known as the "Shoe Store." It was elevated 
about six feet from the ground, with a basement built of 
stone underneath. It had the usual broad piazza in front, 
facing the square, and flights of steps leading up to the 
piazza, and to a door which opened on Pratt street. It was 
occupied for many years by Gouverneur Thompson, a New 
England shoe merchant, who afterwards removed to Co- 
lumbia, S. C. Mr. Thompson was familarly known as "Guv. 
Thompson." His disposition was lively and cheery, he had 
a pleasant word for every one, and was celebrated for his 
humorous stories and anecdotes of which he possessed a 
rich store. 

The piazza in front of his place of business was surrounded 
by a balustrade; there were benches nailed to the floor inside 
the balustrade and against the wall of the house. Here the 
"grave and reverend signiors " of the village would assem- 
ble on pleasant afternoons to interchange views on subjects 
of public interest, and to enjoy Guv. Thompson's stories. 

"We boys" would often "drop into" this piazza in the 
afternoon after school hours, to listen to the conversation and 
laugh at Mr. Thompson's stories. But there was another, 
and far more fascinating attraction which the old j)iazza some- 
times had for us. It was there that the advance agents of 
menageries and circuses put up their show bills. Ah, me! the 
happy hours spent, sitting on those benches with my school- 
mates, contemplating and analyzing those show pictures. 
One thing only marred our enjoyment, that was the dismal 
apprehension we sometimes felt, that we might not be able 
to coax our parents to give us their consent to attend the 
show, and to furnish us with the needful quarter before it 
arrived. We always took courage, however, when we read 
on all the bills, in large type, the announcement that 



lifmhuxct'iices of Newberry. 33 

the approaching show was to be a ''strictly moral ex- 
hibition," 

We had no flaming colored show bills then pasted over 
hundreds of square feet of board walls erected for the pur- 
pose. Our pictures were plain wood cuts tacked upon the 
wall of the house. But we had the same glorious showman's 
vocabulary, there has been no improvement in that. We 
had the same "Colossal Combinations of Aggregated Won- 
ders" and " Stupendous and Bewildering Features '* which 
are advertised now. 

Menageries and circuses were not united then, they trav- 
eled separately. 

Two friends, J. F. H. and S. J., once attended an exhibi- 
tion of a circus and menagerie at Newberry. The menagerie 
was very inferior, the animals were few in number and 
in poor condition. After entering the tent, the two friends, 
while waiting for the circus performances to commence, 
spent the time in looking at the animals. When they had 
made the circuit of the cages, the following colloquy ensued: 

J. F. H. " Silas ! why under the sun do the circus people 
haul these poor old half starved beasts around with them." 

S. J. 'Is it possible, Jim, that you do not know why 
they do it." 

J. F. H. "I do not, and cannot imagine." 

S. J. "Well, I can inform you. It is to ease the con- 
sciences of church members." 

I am inclined to think that S. J. had discovered the 
original cause of the combination of the menagerie with 
the circus 

On the east side of Court House Square at the intersection 
of Caldwell and Boyce streets, there was a one story build- 
ing very similar to the shoe store. There was a small yard 

in rear of it enclosed by a board fence within which there 
3 



34 Reminiscences of Xeivberry. 

were several smaller buildings. These premises were 
occupied as a residence and place of business by Antoine 
Gilbal, (G pronounced soft), who made and sold candy and 
confections, and also kept a bar-room. 

Gilbal was a native of France. Very little was l^nown of 
his previous history as he was very reticent on that subject 
From some hints, however, which he had incautiously 
dropped, or from some reports which had followed him to 
Newberry, it was asserted and believed by some persons 
that he had been engaged with Lafitte, the celebrated 
pirate of the Gulf of Mexico, whose career gave rise to so 
many romantic stories, and who secured for himself and his 
men a pardon from President Madison, for all their past 
misdeeds, by entering the service of the United States, and 
fighting gallantly under Jackson at the battle of New 
Orleans. 

Gilbal had an ugly seam across one of his cheeks, such as 
a gash made by the point of a cutlass would be likely to 
leave, and a- maimed hand. These marks of conflict with 
some deadly foe served to confirm the belief that he had 
been a rover of the seas. However this may have been, 
there was undoubtedly some mystery connected with his 
previous life, which rendered him very restless, and which 
he never would disclose His heavy overhanging eyebrows 
partially concealed his dark piercing eyes, in which there 
was an ever restive, furtive expression as if he was expect- 
ing an attack from some unseen enemy. 

He could never master the English language. He would 
sometimes reverse the position of words in a sentence and 
syllables in words, and often use a word in a directly oppo- 
site sense from its true meaning. When he would call one 
of his servants, he would say, " Bob, come dere (there)," 
instead of "Bob come here." He called the plant com- 



Heminiscences of Norherry. 35 

monly kuown as " Bone set," "Set bone," and it is said on 
one occasion when he supposed one of his ribs was broken 
by a fall from a horse, he drank, by the advice of Guv. 
Thompson, a quantity of "Set bone" tea in order that it 
might repair his broken bone. 

Mr. Gracey owned a very fast pacing horse, which had 
been trained to bear heavily against the bit. Gilbal or 
"Gil," as he was familiarly called, was once persuaded to 
take a ride on this horse. The rapid motion of the animal 
soon bounced Gil out of the saddle and landed him astride 
the horse's shoulders. In order to avoid falling to the 
ground, he dropped the reins and seized the mane. The 
horse finding Ihe pressure of the reins removed from his 
mouth came to a halt. Some one who was passing assisted 
Gil to dismount. He returned, leading the horse, and in 
answer to the inquiries of the crowd, which had assembled 
to see him ride, exclaimed: "Bigar, I see nevair one horse 
like dese. The more I push 'im the bridle the faster he go, 
and when I no push 'im the bridle at all, bigar, he stop." 
This defect in language, together with his mercurial tem- 
perament and irritable disposition, made Gil a target for all 
the wags and mirth-making people of the town. 

There was an old negro fiddler, named Solomon, who fre- 
quented the town in Gil's time, and sometimes sang songs — 
chiefly of his own composition, to a fiddle accompaniment. 
His tunes never had more than two strains, and his songs 
never more than two lines to a stanza. He always sang to 
the first strain of his tune and played the last strain as an 
interlude. I believe I could re-fjroduce some of Solomon's 
tunes, but all of his songs appear to have escaped from my 
memory, except a stanza of one which he composed in 
honor of Gilbal. Here it is : 

" All them ladies jes from France, 
Come for to see Mr. Gilbal dance." 



36 Reminiscences of Nevberri/. 

Nothing ever enraged Gilbal so much as this song. When- 
ever Solomon began to play and sing before his door, he 
would rush out into the piazza, and with violent gesticu- 
lations and grimaces, threaten him with terrible punish- 
ment if he did not desist; but Solomon was always accom- 
panied by some of Gil's tormentors, who came to enjoy the 
fun and protect the musician as well. 

Gilbal furnished much amusement to the people of the 
town. It was not so much his humor, as his broken Eng- 
lish, his facial contortions and his grotesque manner that 
excited merriment and laughter. His candy, kisses, sugar 
plums, indeed all his confections, surpassed anything of the 
kind that has been seen in Newberr3^ since his death. They 
were all made by himself out of pure sugar. Tables at wed- 
dings or other merrj^-makings were never considered com- 
pletely furnished until they were supi^lied with his delicious 
confections. 

Gilbal died in 1842, in a house on the north side of Court 
House Square, to which he had removed. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Manners and customs— everybody on horseback— 
ulections— people all of one party — personal 
appeals for suffrages unknown— " treating " 
almost universal— merriman clocks as badges 

of prosperity marriages funerals mail 

coaches— post office — a trip by stage coach- 
some reflections and some advice to young men 
which the reader may skip if he chooses— 
publications received at the post office in 
1840— horse racing— scenes on a race course- 
gambling hell. 



In the days of my boyhood, life in Newberry was very 
quiet and free from excitement. People from the sur- 
rounding country did not come into the town in consider- 
able numbers except on sale-days, court weeks or upon the 
advent of a menagerie or circus. But on these and similar 
occasions, everybody came, and came on horseback. Very 
few persons owned pleasure carriages of any kind. There 
were a few gigs or chaises, but not a buggy in the county. 

On sale-days, and during court weeks, that part of the 
plaza or public square as it was commonly called, in front 
of the Court House, would be filled with j)eople, while 
every available space on both sides was occupied by tobac- 
co wagons, apple wagons and the carts of the venders of 
"ginger cakes and cider." 

The people of that time had great respect for courts and 
the authority of judges. When "His Honor" was seen 



38 Reminiscences of Neivherri/. 

approaching the Court House, accompanied b.y the sheriff, 
arrayed in cocked hat and sword, every one respectfully 
gave way for him to i^ass. The strictest order was enforced 
in the Court room, and, if at any time during the sessions 
of the Court, there wixs a disturbance in the Public Square 
caused by drunken men, or otherwise, the sheriff was or- 
dered by the judge to go out and arrest the offenders. 
Whenever an unlucky fellow was arrested, he would be 
followed into the Court House by a crowd to hear the 
judge^s lecture. 

The culprit, after receiving admonitions from the judge, 
was generally discharged upon the condition that he would 
go home at once. At other times, especially if he was very 
drunk, he was sent to jail to remain until he was sufficient- 
ly sobered to realize his situation. 

As the people of the district, and indeed of nearly the 
whole State, belonged to the same political party, and as the 
Governor, and all other State officers, and Presidential elec- 
tors were elected by the Legislature, there was usually verj- 
little political excitement. The most notable exceptions 
were, the campaigns and elections during the "Nullification 
excitement " from 1832 to 1835 ; and in 1851 to test the ques- 
tion as to whether the State should secede from the Union 
alone or await the co-operation of other States. 

There were Jio regular imrty organizations, no nomina- 
ting conventions or primary elections ; contests for seats in 
congress, the State Legislature and District offices, were 
merely personal. Every man who desired office announced 
himself as a candidate. Candidates were expected to appear 
at all places of public assemblings, in order to make the ac- 
quaintance of voters; but the custom of riding over the 
county and of making personal appeals to citizens for their 



ReDiiniscences of Newberry. 39 

suffrages, which has prevailed to a considerable extent in 
more recent years, was then unknown. 

T have heard gentlemen who had been candidates for 
office in those early days say, that if they had made per- 
sonal appeals to citizens for their votes, they would have 
been condemned for violating the public conscience. Yet 
the custom of offering intoxicating drinks, free, to voters or 
"treating" as it is called, was almost universal. 

I remember, one election day, seeing people constantly 
going in and out at the door of an old house (generally un- 
occupied) which stood on the south side of Pratt street near 
the present site of Singley's building, and with other boys 
going in to find out what was the attraction. We found 
inside an extemporized barroom, the bar tender would now 
and then — pointing to certain decanters labeled with can- 
didates' names — say: "This is A's treat," "This isB's treat," 
and so on. Each voter would help himself according to his 
choice of candidates. 

There were social distinctions then as there are now, but 
the lines were not so sharply drawn, you could sometimes 
hear the term aristocrat applied to some citizen who was 
more prosperous than his neighbors, but for the most part 
fortunes were accumulated slowly and the people were con- 
tented and happy. 

A very peculiar but sure mark of prosperity was the pos- 
session of a " Merriraan clock." When a man had succeed- 
ed in accumulating considerable property, and began to feel 
that he was growing independent he usually purchased 
one of these clocks, the cost of which was about one hun- 
dred dollars. They were made by Reuben Merriman at 
Cheshire, Connecticut, and brought to Charleston by sail 
and from the city transported in wagons to various points 
in the State. The clock work was contained in a somewhat 



40 Reininiscences of Netrberry. 

elaborate mahogony case, about eight ftet high, and each 
clock had attachments to indicate the changes of the moon 
and the day of the month. One of these old " time-pieces " 
which formerly belonged to Mr. Robert Stewart, and has 
been running for more than «irhalf a century, is now in the 
possession of the National Bank of Newberry, where it still 
tells off the passing hours with unfailing regularity. 

In the social life of the people there was less of mere eti- 
quette and ceremony than at the present ^ime, but there 
was more hospitality, a loftier homage j)aid by men to tlie 
gentler sex and certainly not less of genuine politeness and 
courtesy. 

When a marriage was to be celebrated, even in the wealth- 
iest and most prominent families, it was made an occasion 
of general rejoicing, and every honest and respectable per- 
son in the town was invited to the marriage feast. These 
invitations did not of themselves imply complete social 
recognition, but were rather understood to be expressions 
of the prevailing spirit of abounding hospitality. 

A very pretty custom was sometimes observed at these 
marriage feasts: Two young girls, tastefully arrayed in 
white, preceded the bridal procession into the parlor, and 
stood during the ceremony on the right and left of the 
officiating minister, bearing in their hands long silver can- 
dlesticks containing lighted wax candles. 

When a death occurred (as there was no heavse), the body 
was borne to the cemetery by strong men, who passed their 
silk handkerchiefs under the coffin, and grasping the ends, 
walked with slow and measured steps to the grave, fol- 
lowed by the assembled company on foot. The absence of 
vehicles, and the bustle and confusion sometimes produced 
by them, together with the solemn (luietness of the people, 
rendered these funeral processions profoundly impressive* 



Eemhiiscences of Neifherry. 41 

Religious services were generally held at the house in which 
the body lay. For a period of probably ttfteen years, dating 
from my childhood, I never saw a corpse carried into a 
church. 

The only regular channel of communication with the 
"outside world" was through a tri-weekly line of stage 
coaches which ran between Columbia, S. C, and Asheville, 
N. C. The arrival of these coaches, with their freight of 
passengers and the mail, was looked for with as much in- 
terest then as the arrival of the railway train is now. 

For many years the Post-Office was not kept in a separate 
building. The postmaster was usually a merchant, and kept 
the office at his place of business. 

Thomas Pratt was the first postmaster I remember. The 
next was Wm. P. Butler, now living in Edgetield, then came 
Reuben Pitts, the father of the Rev. John D. Pitts, of Lau- 
rens, S. C. During Mr Pitts' term the Post-Office was kept 
in a store room (under the old Newberry Hotel), on the 
southeast corner of Pratt and Caldwell streets, then occu- 
pied by Mr. Pitts and Z. W. Carwile, as dealers in general 
merchandise. 

Although quite a lad, I was employed by Mr. Pitts as 
mail clerk. This occupation was very agreeable to me. 
From my childhood I had a great admiration for stage 
coachmen. I suppose every one has at some time in his 
early boyhood wrestled with the all-absorbing question as 
to what he will do with himself when he becomes a man. 
After much thought over this question I bad made up my 
mind to become a stage coachman. To my youthful imagi- 
nation stage coachmen were such jolly, happy fellows. As 
a matter of fact, I do not remember to have seen more than 
one who was lean and melancholy, all others that I have 



42 Reminiscences of Neuherry. 

known belonged to the class of which Tony Weller is the 
immortal type. 

Every one paid homage to the talismanic words " United 
States Mail " emblazoned on the bright, gilded panels of a 
stage coach, and made all haste to get out of the way when 
one came dashing along the highway or through the streets 
of the town. The prevailing idea was, that a mail coach 
was entitled to the right of way at all times. 

As the mails arrived in the evening. I could attend school 
during the day and go on duty in the Post-Offlce after school 
hours. My young schoolmates regarded my promotion to 
the position of mail clerk as a piece of good fortune, but, 
dear fellows, they were too generous to envy me. They 
would often assemble al the Post-Office door in the evening, 
and when the coach arrived, look on in wondering admira- 
tion to see the coachman tip his hat to me, or hear him 
*' crack a joke " as he handed down the mail bags. I was 
the only night-clerk, and occupied a room in the rear of the 
store. Part of my duty was to get out of bed every other 
morning at two and at four o'clock, to deliver the mail bags 
to the departing coaches. 

During mid-winter the roads became almost impassable. 
At that season, often the coaches would not arrive before 
midnight, then the coachmen would barely have time to 
refresh themselves, and look after their jaded horses before 
they would be compelled to start on their return trip. Yet 
I never heard one of these fellows complain of his lot, nor 
did I ever see one of them drunk. 

I cannot at times repress a feeling of regret that the 

spirit of progress has, banished the old time stage coach: 

" Over new roads that men lay, 
Kush we with rattle and roar, 
Only sweet memories stay ; 
Gone are the driver and four ! "' 



Reinmiscences of Nevi>errij. 43 

Notwithstanding some discomfort there is more real 
pleasure to be had from a journey by stage coach than by a 
railway train. The opportunities afTorde J for observing the 
country as you pass along are so much more favorable, and 
then you can converse with your fellow passengers without 
bawling at them as you are compelled to do, amid the din 
and roar caused by a railway train in motion. 

I retain vivid impressions of my first trip by stage coach, 
which was made from Newberry to Asheville, N. C. At 
Greenville on my way I met for the first time young C. H. 
Suber, (who though a native of Newberry County, had 
seldom visited the town previous to that time,) and to- 
gether we made the journey on to Asheville. S. was then a 
student in the South Carolina College. It was during the 
summer of 1 84(). 

We left Greenville on a delightful summer day. Fleecy 
clouds were floating above us, and a brisk breeze tempered 
the atmosphere, and produced a feeling of exhilaration, as 
we were bowled along ; catching glimpses, here and there, 
through forest vistas or across open fields, of the soft blue 
outlines of the distant mountains. 

I soon found myself attracted by S's handsome appear- 
ance, and admirable conversational talent He proved to be 
a most interesting and entertaining traveling companion. 
I could have forgiven him for being more fashionably 
dressed, and so much handsomer than I was ; but fear I 
felt some pangs of jealousy when I discovered that his intel- 
lect was being cultivated and expanded, by a college train- 
ing, of which I had deprived myself by yielding too early 
to the allurements of a commercial career. 

Early in the forenoon we made the toilsome ascent of the 
Saluda Mountains (a spur of the Blue Ridge), and looking 
back from the summit, could see the zigzag road over which 



44 Reminiscences of Nea-bcrri/. 

we had traveled, lying, like a huge serpent across the side 
of the mountain ridge. After descending the other side, 
we passed the famous Poinsett Spring, crossed the beautiful 
Green River, ascended and descended another ridge, and in 
the afternoon arrived at Flat Rock, a name given to an 
elevated, rolling section of the country near Hendersonville, 
N. C, embracing hundreds of acres, encompassed by moun- 
tain peaks, and diversified by clear bold streams of water 
(here and there conv^erted into artificial lakes,) and the 
picturesque summer residences of many families, from the 
sea coast of South Carolina. 

At the Flat Rock Hotel, we took on additional passen- 
gers ; among them two elderly ladies, with prim curls 
adorning their temples, and smelling bottles in their 
hands, from the contents of which they frequently stimu- 
lated their noses ; and an old gentleman with a florid face, 
a ruffled shirt front, the gout and an enormous snuff box. 
From their conversation which chiefly revolved arouud 
their native city, and their family trees, we learned that 
they came from Charleston, and that- each of them had 
always lived in a state of single-blessedness. Having sur- 
rendered our places on the back seat to these good people ; 
S. and myself were compelled to occupy the middle seat, 
but finding it, after a short trial somewhat uncomfortable, 
we took refuge outside ; I occupying a seat on the box be- 
side the driver while S. reclined upon the coach top among 
the carpet bags. (Every respectable traveler was a "carpet 
bagger" then). Our conversation having been in some 
Avay turned to the subject of music, S. mentioned that he 
had recently had the pleasure of hearing Sloman sing the 
beautiful old song, I'abal-Cain ; and as I had never heard 
it, he sang it for me with excellent effect, though in a some- 
what subdued toie, in order that he might not disturb our 



1^6)1} husce)ices of Nt;wherr>i. 45 

friends inside. I have since that time heard Old Tubal- 
Cain sung by Slonian himself and by others ; but never 
heard it with more pleasure than when sung by S. seated 
on the top of the stage coach. 

But extremes are sometimes said to meet. Almost before 
the echo's of 8's song had died away, and while we were 
drinking in the invigorating mountain air, and silently 
watching the deepening shadows creeping up the sides of 
the everlasting hills, as the sun dropped behind them^ 
leaving their summits fringed with a brilliant setting of 
purple and gold ; the driver took his bugle, and after giving 
us a lugubrious imitation of Old Rosin the Bow, wound up 
his performance, by sounding nine prolonged notes, which 
he informed us was to notify the hotel people at Asheville 
of the number of passengers on board. In a few minutes 
more we were safely landed at the Eagle Hotel. 

My employment in the Post Office, while it interfered 
somewhat with the prosecution of my studies, by filling up 
hours which should have been devoted to my school books, 
was not without its benefits. It gave me my first lessons 
in business, and in order to while away the lonesome hours 
of the long winter nights while waiting for the arrival of 
the mails, I began to dip into the newspapers and maga- 
zines, of which a number were always remaining in the 
office. This gave me a love for reading which has followed 
me through all the years of my life since, and contributed 
greatly to my happiness. 

I shall never cease to regret that I did not go through a 
collegiate course of education, which I might have done, 
but my father who was a thorough man of business, and a 
(so called) self made man, was not unwilling to allow me, 
at my own solicitation to enter into commercial pursuits at 
the age of sixteen years. After spending more than forty 



46 Boniniscences of Newberry. 

years in business pursuits, I can truly say that whatever of 
knowledge I have acquired, is largely due to the reading I 
have done, in such hours as I could spare from daily toil, 
and the consequent improvement and develop noent of my 
powers of observation. 

I do not wish to be understood as holding myself up as an 
example to be followed, nor do I feel that I deserve to be so 
held up by others. But I do wish to hold out some encour- 
agement to any young man who may read these pages, and 
who, because the beneflts of a college education, and it may 
be even a thorough high school education have been denied 
him, is disposed to neglect the improvement of his mind. 
If you, my reader, are among this number let me urge you 
— whatever your surroundings, your occupation or your pro- 
fession may be— to read even if it be only for a half hour or 
an hour each day ; and be sure that you read good books. 
Perhaps you will say: "Shall I not read novels at all?" Yes, 
you may read the works of Hawthorn, Cooper, Irving, 
Sims, Goldsmith, Sir Walter Scott, Dickens and Thacke- 
ray. 

There are a few other novelists whose works you may 
read ; but do not read a novel until you have first ascer- 
tained from some trustworthy and judicious authority 
whether it is worth reading or not. Let your attention be 
chietly given to books that will make you think, and 
" ividen out your mind so that you can take broad views, in 
stead of being narrow-minded; so that you can see the differ- 
ent sides of a question, or at least can know that all ques- 
tions have diff'erent sides," 

Above all, do not fail to read the Bible constantly. Do 
all this and you will find that yowr position in society will 
be improved, the labors of life lightened and sweetened, 
and if at any time you are laid aside from the active duties 



Meminiscences of Neirherry. 47 

of life, by old age or loss of health, you will find that you 
have something to fall back upon ; that books are friends 
which never desert you, and that they will brighten many 
an hour that would otherwise be full of restlessness and dis- 
content. But I am about to forget that I am writing remi- 
niscenses, and must return at once to the Post-Office. 

Our postal arrangements were quite primitive and sim- 
ple. When the mail was received we closed the door of the 
store, and after distributing the contents of the bags, spread 
out all the letters and papers for the people of the village on 
the counter, depositing those for the country in cases alpha- 
betically arranged to receive them. The door was then 
opened and the crowd, which had in the meantime assem- 
bled outside, came in and received their mail matter from 
the counter. 

The rate of postage on letters was six and a quarter, 
twelve and a half, eighteen and three-quarters and twenty- 
five cents each ; according to the distance to be sent. The 
postage w^as not required to be paid in advance, and was 
generally paid at the place of destination. There were no 
daily papers received at the office. Of newspapers received 
the South Carolinimi, edited and published by A. H.Pember- 
ton, and the Temperance Advocate, both weekly and pub- 
lished in Columbia, S. C, had the largest number of sub- 
scribers. A few persons received the tri-weekly Chmiesfon 
Courier and Charlest07i Mercury. Copies of four or five 
difl[*erent religious papers were received ; also three copies of 
the Neiu York Herald and one or two copies each of the 
GreenvlUe Mountaineer and Edgefield Advertiser^ which 
w^ere at that time probably the only county newspapers in 
the State. The demand for light literature was supplied 
chiefly by the New York Mirror, (weekly,) The Philadel- 
phia, Saturday Courier, (weekly,) which was very popular,, 



48 Reminiscences of Nevherry. 

Godey^s Ladies Book (monthly,) and Orahcini's Magazine* 
(monthly,) the last two published in Philadelphia and The 
Southern Literary Messenger, (monthly,) published in 
Richmond, Va. 

I have in my possession a list of all the papers and maga- 
zines received at the Post-Office in 1840. They number alto- 
gether 352, and may be classified as follows : Political and 
general news, 114 ; literary, 78 ; temperance, 63 ; agricul- 
tural, 20; sporting, 4 ; religious, 78; viz.: Associate, Re- 
formed and Presbyterian, 17; Lutheran, 5; Baptist, 17; 
Methodist, 19 ; Catholic, 4 ; Universalist, 16. 

My brother, Z. W. Carwile, was the partner of Mr, Pitts 
in his mercantile business. Pie had a taste for good litera- 
ture, and during the time I was employed in the Post-Office, 
gave me to read Dickens' first novel, Nicholas Nicklely. 
("The Pickwick Papers" appeared before Nickleby, but 
can not properly be called a novel.) 

Dickens was then writing over the signature " Boz." 
His real name was unknown, at least to American readers. 
I remember seeing afterwards in the Gentleman'' s Magazine, 
published in New York and edited by William E. Burton 
— a celebrated comedian of that day- a portrait of Dickens, 
accompanied by a sketch of his early life. His real name 

*The following item recently appeared in several prominent daily 
newspapers: (March 1887.) 

There lies in a New York hospital an aged and almost friendless 
invalid whose name was once famous in the world of letters. George 
K. Graham was for many years the leading publisher of Philadel- 
phia. For Oraham's Magazine Edgar Allan Poe wrote much of his 
best work. Graham was at one time part owner of the Philadelphia 
North American. He was, thirty-five or forty years ago, a power in 
the literary world, but would now be in the poorhouse were it not 
for the kindness of a philanthropic Philadelphian. 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 49 

hadjust beeo revealed. The sketch contained something- 
like the following lines : 

" Who the dickens, Boz could be, 

Puzzled many a learned elf, 
Till time unveiled the mystery 

And Boz appeared as Dickens self." 

I had never heard of "Boz" before. I had previously 
read such books as were usually placed in the hands of lads 
of my age, including the Arabian Nights, Scottish Chiefs 
Robinson Crusoe, and that immortal allegory, The 
Pilgrim's Pr«>gress. But here the doors of a new and en- 
chanted litei-ary palace were thrown wide open before me ; 
and as I passed the threshold I felt in every part of my 
spiritual nature the touch of the magician's wand. 

What a revelation Nicholas Nickleby was tome! With 
what infinite zest I devoured its pages. How rapidly the 
long winter nights sped away as I read. How my blood 
boiled over the account of the inhuman treatment of poor 
Smike, by Squeers the schoolmaster, and the villainy of old 
Ralph Nickleby. How I admired the manly courage of 
Nicholas, and the sweet patience of his sister Kate. How 
my tears came as I contemplated the impending fate of the 
lovely Madeline Bray, and my heart rejoiced over her de- 
liverance. And then what delightful humor came out in 
the minor characters. 

I have read since that time, nearly every thing that Dick- 
ens wrote, and there are some of his books which I admire 
much more now ; but none of them ever did me such ser- 
vice as Nicholas Nickleby. 

Horse-racing was one of the sports engaged in by some of 
the early inhabitants of Newberry. An organized Jockey 
Club existed in the town for a number of years. The first 



50 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

race-course I remember was in a field which embraced the 
present homestead of John C. Wilson. The second was on 
the east side of the higliway leading from the village, by 
Springfield, the residence of Judge O'Neall, and near the 
present residence of Thomas M. Neel. The last one was on 
the east side of the highway, leading from the town to 
Bouknight's Ferry, about a mile-and-a-half from the Court 
House. 

A training stable of race-horses was kept open several 
seasons in Newberry, by Col. Simeon Fair and Governor 
Pierce M. Butler. It was under the management of 
"George," a very intelligent negro, who belonged to Gov. 
Butler. Each horse had a negro groom and a rider. George 
was a complete autocrat, he required both grooms and riders 
to obey his orders implicitly and without hesitation. Yet 
neither grooms nor riders ever made attempts to escape 
from his tyranny. They were so fascinated and elated with 
their employment that they were willing to submit to any 
amount of rough treatment from the trainer, rather than be 
remanded to their ordinary work. 

The training stable had an irresistible attraction for 
school boys. It broke in upoh the monotony of their lives, 
and gave them something new to talk about. 'We boys" 
paid visits to the stable nearly every afternoon, after school 
hours, and spent many hours there on Saturdays, when we 
were not engaged in fishing or rabbit hunting. George 
petted us, and talked very learnedly to us about horses. 
We became thoroughly educated in stable lore. We knew 
just what the horses in the stable were fed upon, at wh:it 
hour they went out for their morning exercise upon the 
highway, and when they would go the race-course for a 
gallop. We had many heated discussions about the relative 
merits of different horses. Indeed, I fear that for the time, 



Heminiscences of NeiDberry. 51 

we knew more about George's curriculum, than that of our 
institution of learning. 

So my dear reader you see that boys were boys then as 
the,y are now, but I think you should be a little lenient in 
your judgment of the boys of that time. Remember that 
they were more than fifty miles, and twenty years in point 
of time, distant from a railway, and that the arrival of a 
single stranger in the town was an event of importance 
then. 

Besides the two gentlemen just mentioned, the principal 
owners of racing studs, who brought their horses to New- 
berry to contend in the races, were : Col John D. Williams, 
Wm. R. Smith, and Col. James H. Irby, of Laurens Dis- 
trict ; and Maj. Wm. Eddins, of Abbeville District. Mr. 
James Fernandis, who was one of the original owners of 
the Newberry Hotel, was also a patron of the turf, and had 
a stable of race horses about two miles west of the village. 

My father never attended the races himself, and did not, 
as a rule, permit his boys to attend them. On one occasion, 
however, with his consent, I went during race week to the 
second course, which I have mentioned. When I arrived I 
found a large crowd of people already assembled. Every 
available foot of space in the grand stand was occupied. A 
good many boys and some men had climbed into trees, in a 
wood which skirted the quarter-stretch, in order to get a 
good view of the course. Finding it difficult to secure an 
eligible position from which to view the races, I climbed — 
with a younger brother and other boys — upon the roof of a 
long one story frame building, which stood some distance 
in rear of the judge's stand. 

I remember that all the jockey's were negro boys, dressed 
in fanciful costumes, each of a different color, and that one 
of the horses which ran in the ]principal race, was a beauti- 



52 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

ful gray, owned by Maj. Ed dins, and called by the eiipho- 
neous name of '' Hiialpa." I can remember no other inci- 
dent connected with the races. 

I have a vivid recollection, however, of another scene 
which 1 witnessed that day. T did not know what use was 
made of the building upon the roof of which I had 
mounted, and while sitting there waiting for the horses to 
start could hear men, talking in loud, excited tones below 
me. Presently I discovered an opening in the roof, which 
gave me a view of nearly the whole of the room below. I 
shuddered and held my breath when I looked down ; for 
there, just beneath me, I saw for the first and last time in 
my life, the interior of a "Gambling Hell." On tables 
covered with green cloth, were spread out the paraphernalia of 
different games of chance. On one side of these tables there 
stood several men with calm, cold, relentless looking faces. 
On the other s'.de an excited, turbulent crowd, some looking 
pale and haggard from disappointment, others elated and 
flushed over their winnings; ^ome went out at the door, 
after losing all they had, with misery and despair pictured 
on their faces ; others, heated with drink, cursed their ill 
luck, and defiantly charged the dealers with villainy. A 
man whom I knew came out crazed with his success, 
waving a handfull of bank bills over his head and pro- 
claimed aloud the amount he had won. Altogether, the 
scene filled me with astonishment, horror and disgust, and 
remains firmly fixed in my memory. 



CHAPTER V 



The old locust— doctor burr johnston — removes to 
alabama — affecting scene on the day of his 
departure from newbekry — memories of the old 
locust — paul johnstone — howard caldwell— 
s )nnet by mr. caldwell —doctor william h. 
harringtion— major c. h. suber— thomas pratt — 
his journey to philadelphia, on horseback, in 
1s13 to purchase goods— priestly pratt— john w. 
ste^\^art, richard c. carwile, john c. higgins 
and priestly pratt volunteer for the mexican 
war— the last farewell- only higgins lives to 
return— george guzman— his noble conduct and 
death in mexico. 



" Come back ! ye friends whose lives are ended, 

Come back, with all that lieht attended, 
Which seemed to darken and decay 

When ye arose and went away." 

LONGFELT.ow.— r/ie Golden Legend. 

ON the north side of Court House Square, near the inter- 
section of Boyce and Caldwell streets, there stood for 
many years a locust tree of enormous size. Its spreading 
branches extended far out over the square on one side and 
on the other, overshadowed a small building occupied by 
Dr. Burr Johnston as an office. This tree was cut down in 
1853 to make room for a new range of buildings. It was a 

melancholy sight to see the old tree, around which clus- 

53 



54 Reminiscences of Nevherry. 

tered so many happy memories, bow its stately head, before 
the axe, and fall prostrate upon the ground. But it had to 
be. The peaceful valleys around the once quiet village had 
already echoed the shrill whistle of the locomotive, and 
everything that stood in the way of the inexorable de- 
mands of commerce had to go down. 

In a volume of poems, written by Howard H. Caldwell^ 
and published in 1855, there is a short poem, with the title, 
*' Memories of the Old Locust," in which the old tree is 
made to soliloquize as follows : 

" All my companions gone ! and soon I may 
Be borne away by the tide now bearing all ; 
A palace stand where I was wont to be, 
And commerce hurry with her busy call, 
And yet how oft beneatli mj^ spreading shade 
The young, the light of heart and free of soul, 
Have sat, as slow the day began to fade 
Nor marked how fast time's fleeting moments roll. 
Oh ! maj' th«^y think wlien I am fading fast, 
Of the dark hour when life's new roseate bloom 
Must fade in Night that knows no dawn at last, 
The voiceless silence of the waiting tomb." 

Dr. BiuT Johnston, who occupied the office under the 
locust, was born in Fairfield District. He was graduated 
from the South Carolina College in 1811, studied medicine 
with Dr. Joseph Waldo, in Newberry in 1812-13, and was 
graduated in medicine from a college in Philadelphia in 
1814. Immediately after his graduation as a physician he 
opened an office in Newberry. He rose rapidly in his pro- 
fession and became the leading practitioner of the town. He 
was firm but gentle with a patient, and not easily excited 
or confused. He was scrupulously neat in his dress, me- 
thodical in his habits, and deliberate in all his movements. 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 55 

No one ever saw him in a hurry. No matter how urgent 
the case might be, lie never walked rapidly, nor urged his 
horse, (if on horseback) beyond a moderate pace, yet I never 
heard that any one complained of his tardiness or inatten- 
tion ; on the contrary, his patients were devoted to him 
He was a type of the old-time, high-spirited, honorable, pro- 
fessional gentlemen. 

One of the most familiar objects to be seen on Court House 
Square, during the latter years of Dr. Johnston's stay in 
Newberry, was his milk-white horse standing before his of- 
fice, under the old locust tree. I learned from my father's 
colored hostler and man of all work — from whom I derived 
most of my knowledge on such subjects— that Hayes, the 
Doctor's hostler, spent most of his time in washing off" and 
grooming that white horse, and had received strict orders 
from his master not to alow a s^^eck of dirt to be seen on 
him, from the point of his nose to the end of his tail, when- 
ever he was brought out for the Doctor to mount. 

The ''emigration fever," which carried away so many of 
the best and most thrifty people of South Carolina to the 
vaunted rich lands of the Southwest, seized Dr, Johnston, 
and caused him to remove to Alabama in 1840. His re- 
moval was universally regretted In my father's family 
and many others, in which he had practiced for many 
years, his departure was regarded as a calamity. 

As there was no railway communication then between 
the two States, Dr Johnston made the journey overland, 
his negroes in wagons and on foot, and his family in car- 
riages. On the morning of his departure, his relatives and 
many of his friends assembled to take leave of his 
family and himself. It was an affecting scene, many tears 
were shed even by gray-headed men. 

In the midst of the leave-taking and the weeping, one of 



56 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

those ludicrous incidents which sometimes obtrude them- 
selves upon such solemn occasions, occurred. 

Two trunks had been strapped, one above the other, be- 
hind one of the carriages. Upon the top of these some one 
had mounted a little negro maid. When the Doctor saw her 
he was naturally greatly surprised, and under a sudden im- 
pulse exclaimed : " Good heavens ! is that little ' nigger ' to 
go to Alabama mounted on top of those trunks?" This 
caused a commingling of smiles and tears in a good many 
faces. It was too much for S. J., one of the Doctor's nephews 
and myself; we had to stuff our handkerchiefs, which 
we had been freely using to wipe our eyes with, into our 
mouths, and retreat behind a corner of the house until we 
had regained our composure. 

Dr. Johnston made only one visit to Newberry after he 
removed to Alabama. He died in 1858. 

" 'Tis ever wrong to say a good man dies." 

The office which Dr. Johnston vacated when he left New- 
berry was removed in 185 !. Silas Johnstone and C. H. 
Suber, as Attorneys at Law, were its last occupants. During 
its occupancy by Johnstone & Suber, many pleasant sum- 
mer evening re-unions were held beneath the old locust by 
a company of young men, which included the two last men- 
tioned gentlemen, and in which I had the honor and the 
pleasure to be numbered. Some of that happy company 
went down to early graves, others having passed the meri- 
dian of life, were called away before the twilight of its 
evening began to approach; while only two or three are 
left behind. I ardently hope, that those who still remain 
are prepared to adopt the sentiment of the following beau- 
tiful lines, by Paul Hayne, who has himself but recently 
crossed over the river. 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 57 

" We have passed the noonday summit, 
We have left the noonday heat, 
And down the hill side slowly 
Descend our wearied feet. 
Yet tlie evening airs are balmy, 
And the evening shadows sweet. 



" Our summer's latest roses 
Lay withered long ago ; 
And even the tlowers of autumn 
Scarce keep their mellow glow. 
Yet a peaceful season woos us, 
'Ere the time of storms and snow. 

" Like the tender twilight weather, 
When the toil of day is done, 
And w e feel the bliss of quiet, 
Our constant hearts hive won — 
When the vesper planet blushes. 
Kissed by the dying sun, 

" So fails the tranquil season, 
Dew like on soul and sight, 
Faith's silvery stars rise blended, 
With memory's sunset light, 
Wherein life pauses softly, 
Along the verge of night." 

Ah ! how quickly do we realize the rapid flight of time, 
whenever we pause to look into the past. It seems but yes- 
terday, that two of our number, — Paul Johnstone and 
Howard Caldwell— were parted from us. Yet both of them 
have been for many years quietly sleeping in their graves : 

"Time in advance, behind him hides his wing.'*-, 
And seem'5 to creep decrepid with his age ; 
Behold him when passed by: what then is seen. 
But his broad pinions, swifter .than the wind." 



5H Remini^cerices of Newberry. 

Paul Johnstoae was the eldest son of Chancellor Job 
Johnstone. He was endowed by nature with a strong and 
active intellect, which he had sedulously cultivated. He 
wtis a diligent student and a sound thinker. He read law, 
but his feeble health prevented him from entering upon the 
practice of his chosen profession. He wrote and published 
"The Electoral Question Discussed,'^ a tract which received 
high encomiums from some of the ablest statesmen and 
jurists of the country. His mind had a natural bent for 
mathematics. I never knew him to fail in the solution of 
any mathematical problem, however difficult, which may 
have been submitted to him. 

Notwithstanding, his bodily sufferings, arising from 
wasting disease, he was always patient and cheerful. Being 
cut off to a considerable extent from out-door pursuits and 
enjoyments, he had invented some ingenious and amusing 
ways of relieving the tedium of his confinement. One of 
them was to convert into other languages, — paying more 
attention to the sound than the spelling— the names of 
people of his acquaintance. This process sometimes com- 
pelled him to combine two foreign words into one. 

There was a Presbyterian minister living in Newberry 
named Hyde. Seeing him pass by one day while we were 
engaged in conversation, he said to me: "There goes the 
Rev. Mr. Pellis." A very respectable colored barber, who 
had a shop in Newberry, and whose name wns Seymour, he 
addressed as " Vide-Plus." And so with many others. 

He was keen-witted, but not harsh or cruel ; humorous, 
but never coarse or rude. He was quick at repartee, and could 
parry the thrusts of the most wary antagonist in an intel- 
lectual encounter. Yet he was conscientiously considerate 
of the feelings of others In his character there was a strik- 
ing combination of childlike simplicity and manly courage. 



Bem.lniscences of Newberry. 59 

He was an exalted type of the Christian gentleman. He 
died on the l;'th of August, 1859, in the 40th year of hii age. 
He was at the time of his death, and had been for many 
years previous, a member of Aveleigh Presbyterian Church 
at Newberry. 

Howard Hayne Caldwell was born in Newberry, on the 
20th of September, 1831. He was the son of Chancellor Jas. 
J. Caldwell and Nancy (McMorries) Caldwell. His parents 
having removed to Columbia, S. C, during his childhood, 
he was educated chiefly in that city, graduating from the 
South Carolina College in 1851 Shortly after his graduation 
he returned to his native place and remained several years, 
during which time he read law, and was admitted to the 
Bar. In January, 1857 he was married to Miss Agues Mou- 
tague, of Columbia, and from that time until his death, 
with the exception of about one year spent in IMobile, Ala- 
bama, he resided in Columbia. 

He devoted most of his time to literary pursuits. Very 
early in life he began to develop a genius for poetry. While 
yet a school boy, he wrote some verses, and published them 
in a newspaper at Columbia, without the knowledge of his 
parents. His mother, who, as well as his father, had excel- 
lent literar3^ taste read the verses when the paper was 
brought in, and was so much pleased with their spirit that 
she spoke in high praise of them that evening in the family 
circle. Noticing that young Howard was much confused 
and blushing deeply, she interrogated him as to the cause, 
when, to her greatsurpiise and joy, he confessed that he was 
the author of the verses. 

He published in 1855, " Oliata, and other Poems," and in 
1858 another volume, under the simple title, ' Poems," He 
also published many prose articles in the newspapers and 
magazines of the day. In his last published volume there 



60 Reminiscences of Newberry, 

are two short poems . " The Night when last we met," and 
" A Sonnet on the death of J. B. Anderson," which are espe- 
cially good ; and the whole book exhibits a very decided ad- 
vance both in conception and style. His books attracted 
considerable attention, but met the fate of those of all South- 
ern authors. 

A critic of excellent literary taste and judgment, in a re- 
cent notice of the writings of John Esten Cooke, of Vir- 
ginia, writes thus : " If John Esten Cooke had been a New 
Englander, and had written as many attractive works upon 
the history of New England as he has given us upon Vir- 
ginia history, he would have been known and honored 
throughout the United States. There is as much local pride 
in Virginia a§ in New England, but, unfortunately, it does 
not to the same extent take the form of pride in literature." 
This judgment will apply with equal force to South Caro- 
lina. The works of William Gilmore Sims, one of the best of 
American novelists, receive far less attention from the peo- 
ple of South Carolina, his native State, than they do from 
the people of the Northern States, while the works of 
Cooper are to be found in almost every library in the land. 
And who in South Carolina that loves good literature and 
feels a pride in the success of our own writers, does not 
grieve over the hard struggles and sad fate of Henry Tim- 
rod and Paul Hayne. 

It is probable that Mr. Caldwell was somewhat hasty in 
publishing his books. Some of his judicious friends were of 
that opinion. Still if his literary efforts had received from 
his own people the fostering attention which they deserved 
and his life had been spared, his success as a writer would 
doubtless have been secured. 

Mr. Caldwell read extensively, especially of history and 
the works of great authors, both in his own and other 



Reminiscences of JVewberry. 61 

tongues, in the realm of poetry and light literature. As a 
conversationist, he was unusually attractive and entertain- 
ing. His manners were polished and graceful, hence he 
was a welcome guest in all polite social circles. His taste 
in all things relating to belles-lettres and the fine arts was 
refined and discriminating. His wit was keen, sometimes 
cutting, but never malicious. He was humorous, but his 
humour was free from slang and buffoonery. 

I remember when he returned to Newberry after his grad- 
uation, and joined our self-constituted " Locust Club," how 
pleased we all were to find him so affable and agreeable in 
manner and so free from the pedantry often displayed by 
young collegians. Our meetings under the locust were 
never more enjoyable than when he and Paul Johnstone 
met in a friendly tilt. They regaled us with animated dis- 
cussions on all sorts of subjects, interspersed with brilliant 
sallies of wit and irresistible humour. 

Among other accomplishments Mr. Caldwell played well 
on the piano-forte, the organ and the guitar. He possessed 
that rarest of all musical gifts, a good tenor voi<3e. I look 
back with infinite pleasure to many happy evenings spent 
with him in his chamber, listening to his highly entertain- 
ing talk and his songs, and now and then, in a feeble way, 
supporting his clear and mellow tenor with an inferior 
barytone ,: 

" Sweet memory wafted by thy gentle gale 
Oft up the stream^ of Time, I turn my sail, 
To view the fairy haunts of long lost hours, 
Blest with far greener shades, far fresher flowers." 

We were both young and full of life and hope then. O 
the inspiring hope of youth — of young manhood ! who that 
has once experienced it can ever forget it ? The future 



62 Reminiscences of Nenberry. 

seemed all bright before us, but alas ! for human hopes, my 
brilliant and gifted friend was cut down ere the dewy fresh- 
ness of his youth, had fully given place to the maturer ripe- 
ness of manhood. He died in the twenty-eighth year of his 
age. His body is sleeping in the cemetery of St. Peter's 
Catholic Church, Columbia, S. C. 

I close this feeble tribute to the memory of my beloved 
friend, by introducing the following short poem of his, to 
which I have already referred : 

SONNET 

On the death of J. B. Anderson, who having directed his 
servant to leave him alone at his praj^ers, was discovered, a 
short time afterwards, dead upon his knees : 

A warrior, dying with his armor on, 

A prophet, in his singing robes at death, 

A lover, yielding in ft)nd vows his breath, 

A king, deceasing on his regal throne, 

A i)riest, expiring at the altar-stone : 

All these are types of thee, beloved friend! 

Blest was thy life, and more than blest thy end, 

P'or in that end life's highest glory shone. 

Green be the turf above thy guileless breast. 

Calm be thy ?leep and be thy memory blest ! 

Tli3- ruling passion strong in death, we see 

An angel-instinct from some holier sphere 

Bend o'er thy head to place life's crown on thee. 

That life, like sweet perfume, breathed out in prayer ! 

Our assemblings under the locust were often cheered by 
the presence of Dr. William H. Harrington, who died on 
the 16th of February, 1881), in Mississippi. The following 
well merited tribute to him appeared in the Newhemj Ob- 
server, a few days after his death : 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 63 

" Dr. William Henry Harrington died at his home in 
Crawfordville, Miss., on the 16th instant. He was born at 
Newberry on the 19th of November, 1816, and was the son 
of Young John and Nancy (Calmes) Harrington. After 
receiving a good literary education, he entered the medical 
profession, having been graduated from the Medical College 
of Charleston, S. C. 

He was married on the 18th of November, 1841, to Miss 
Sarah Strother O'Neall, the only surviving, child of Chief 
Justice John Belton O'Neall. She died in August, 1857. 
He was again married in 1858, to Mrs. Holliizgs worth, of 
Edgefield, S. C, who survives him. 

Dr. Harrington lived in Newberry from his birth until 
1865, when he removed to Mississippi. During his residence 
in Newberry he represented Newberry District in the 
House of Kepresentatives of South Carolina for two years. 
In order to devote himself to his planting interests, he gave 
up the practice of his chosen profession some time before 
he left South Carolina, but resumed it after he removed to 
Mississippi, where he pursued it with much success. 

Dr. Harrington inherited his father's abilities and grace- 
ful manners, and the gentleness and amiability of his 
mother. By inheritance and by marriage he came into 
possession of wealth, which he employed not in making 
senseless displays, but in adorning and rendering attractive 
a happy home, in acts of beneficence, and in dispensing a 
generous hospitality. Having leisure — especially before the 
disasters of the recent war— to devote to books, he read ex- 
tensively^ and to good purpose. Few men excelled him as a 
conversationist, and by his attractive manners and un- 
failing courtesy he threw a charm about every social circle 
into which he entered. The habitual expression of his 
countenance was serene and pleasant, indicating a heart 



64 Reminiscences of Neirherry. 

free from guile and malice. As a mere man, he was im- 
pressive; his erect, handsome figure, manly deportment 
and intelligent face harmonizing with the refinement and 
dignity of his character. He seemed to have been born to 
bless the world with his unseltish disposition, his unvarying 
cheerfulness and his exemplary piety. It was well said of 
him bj' a gentleman, on the streets of Newberry, when he 
heard of his fatal illness : ' He is one of Nature's Noble- 
men.' He is to be remembered among the men whose lives 
have shed honor and renown upon the County of New- 
berry." 

I shall always count it among the hcippiest experiences of 
my life, that I enjoyed for so long a time the society and 
the friendship of Dr. Harrington. Like the Chevalier 
Bayard, he was ''simple, modest, a sterling friend, and 
tender lover, pious, humane and magnanimous." And like 
the Chevalier, he possessed that " Kingliest of virtues, 
justice.''' It was delightful to sit at his hospitable board, or 
stroll with him about his grounds, and listen to his talk; 
erudite, pathetic, humorous ; — always animated and enter- 
taining — ranging over the wide fields of science, art, his- 
tory, theology and belles-lettres. How the fragrance of 
those pleasant hours lingers in the memory ! 

His mind had an esthetic and scientific tendency. He 
indulged a good deal in meditation, and, to some extent, in 
speculation especially as to the probable progress and results 
of scientific investigation. These features of his character 
caused some persons to look upon him as a visionary man, 
and one lacking in practical knowledge. It is true that he 
did not make the accumulation of wealth a special object 
of his life, but he was prudent in the management of his 
financial affairs, as well as some private trusts committed 
to his hands. And he had a clear comprehension of " busi- 



Reminiscences of Neirherry. 65 

ness matters " when they were presented to hira. I think 
that in his life we have an illustration of the fact, that the 
cultivation of the intellect and the taste and the pursuit of 
scientific knowledge, are not incompatible with a due regard 
to the practical duties and obligations of lite. 

Dr. Harrington, united with the Newberry Baptist 
Church, on the 27th of October, 1832, and was for a good 
many years preceding his removal from the State a deacon 
of that church. At the time of his death, he was a member 
and a deacon of the Baptist Church at Crawfordville, Mis- 
sissippi. 

Alas ! alas ! the circle narrows rapidly. Major Christian 
Henry Suber, another of the few remaining members of the 
Locust Club, died at his home, in Newberry, on the 12th of 
March, 1890, in the sixty-second year of his age. 

Major Suber was born in Newberry County, nearPomaria. 
He received his school education chiefly at Lexington, and 
at Tjaurens, S. C; was graduated from the South Carolina 
College in 1848, and came at once to Newberry to read law. 
He was admitted to the Bar in 1851, and practiced his pro- 
fession at Newberry nearly forty years. He was, at one 
time, the law partner of Silas Johnstone, Esq. After Mr. 
Johnstone was elected Commissioner in Equity, for New- 
berry, he was associated in the practice of his profession with 
Gen. A. C. Garlington ; and after Gen. Garlington left New- 
berry for Atlanta, he became associated with J. F. J. 
Caldwell, Esq.. with whom he continued to practice law 
until his death. He represented the County of Newberry 
for several terms, in the Legislature of South Carolina, and 
was a member of some important political conventions. He 
was gifted with unusual elocutionary powers, but did not 
often make speeches either at the Bar or before the people. 
In the i)ractice of law he was most distinguished as a wise 



66 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

and judicious counsellor. He had good literary taste, and 
was especially devoted to the study of Shakespeare, whom he 
often quoted, both in his speeches and conversation. He was 
a sagacious and successful man of affairs. He entered the 
quartermaster's department of the Confederate army early 
in the recent war, as Captain, and was afterwards promoted 
to the rank of Major. He was never married. 

Major Suber's life, though rather uneventful, was, in some 
respects very remarkable. He was, in his youth, in the 
maturity of his manhood and with the silvery traces of the 
winter of life resting upon his brow, a strikingly handsome 
and distinguished looking man. Those who saw him for the 
first time would always desire to know who he was. He was 
known all over the United States, and even beyond its limits. 
He had probably a larger number of acquaintances and per- 
sonal friends than any other man in South Carolina. And 
numbered among his friends people of every class, from 
presidents of the United States down to the humblest citi- 
zens. Yet he never sought the notice of people by fawning 
or sycophancy ; on the contrary, he was modest and unpre- 
tending, and at times even diffident. But there was about 
him an indescribable charm which attracted and held the 
friendship and confidence of all who came in contact with 
him. A person who ever knew him once never forgot him. 
His humor— often so closely allied to pathos, as to cause 
smiles and tears to mingle with each other— and his won- 
derful knowledge of events and of the personal history of 
so many people in all parts of the country made him a 
most engaging and interesting conversationist and an ad- 
mirable story-teller. 

The most beautiful feature of his character was his love 
for the young. He was never so happy as when engaged in 
conversation with a group of young people, or in a romp 



Reminisceiices of Newberry. 67 

with some little children. Nor was his notice confined to 
any class. The children of the wealthy and refined and the 
children of the lowly and destitute, were alike the recip- 
ients of his loving and thoughtful attention. And as with 
the children, so with the grown-up people ; he was kind 
and gentle to all. 

Thomas Pratt, whose place of business on the south side 
of Court House Square, has already been referred to, came 
to Newberry in 1806. He was married in 1816 to Miss 
Dorothy Brooks Nance, the eldest daughter of Major Nance 
of Newberry. Mr. Pratt was, at the time of his death, 
which occurred in 1837, the leading merchant of the 
village. He was highly esteemed for his integrity and 
uprightness of character. During the war between the 
United States and England in 1813-14, in company with 
Kerr Boyee, (who afterwards became a prominent merchant 
and probably the wealthiest man in Charleston) he made 
several trips to Philadelphia on horseback, purchased goods 
and had them transported in wagons from that city to 
Newberry. He sold all sorts of goods, ranging from a 
blacksmith's anvil to a cambric needle. 

I remember a little incident which will serve to illus- 
trate something of the difference in values then and 
now, as well as Mr. Pratt's ideas of economy: While quite 
a small boy I was often at Mr. Pratt's house exchanging 
visits with one of his sons, who was about my age. One 
day we made a visit to the store and while there the 
son asked the father to give him a lead pencil. " Well, my 
son," said Mr. Pratt, " Those pencils which you see in the 
showcase are too expensive for little boys, but I will make 
one each for you and your friend." He took a bar of lead, 
such as was used for moulding into rifie balls, hammered it 
thin upon an anvil, and after cutting it into small 



68 JRcmlniscences of Neivberrij. 

strips and pointing tlie end witti his pocket Ivnife, 
gave us one each, for pencils. I have never forgotten 
Mr. Pratt's pencil, nor the affectionate and whole- 
some advice which he gave — pausing occasionally to 
bend his head and look at us over the rims of his spectacles 
as he fasliioned them. I liave used a great many pencils 
of various kinds since that time, but never one that lasted 
as long as Mr. Pratt's; in fact, I think, it never did wear 
out. 

The friendship which existed from childhood between the 
the lad who shared in the gift of the pencils and myself was 
interrupted only by his death. 

Priestly Pratt, or "Priest," as " we boys" always called 
him, was a bright, happy boy, full of life and humor. He 
had wonderful powers of imitation. He could imitate, with 
remarkable exactness, the songs and cries of birds. A most 
curious and highly amusing exhibition of this he gave by 
selecting the names of two Irish tailors, O'Connor and Shay, 
who lived in the village, and Philip Gelder, (always called 
Phil. Gelder,) who resided near by, and constructing 
out of them an imitation of the cries of the jay bird. 
He would begin by crying out, (moderato,) O'Connor, 
O'Connor, O'Connor ; then (allegro crescendo, in a higher 
key). Shay ! Shay ! Shay ! then (diminuendo,) Phil. Gelder, 
Phil. Gelder, Phil. Gelder. Any one who has closely ob- 
served the blue jay will understand how these names, when 
given the proper musical pitch, can be made to imitate his 
notes. Priest generally mounted aloft in some convenient 
tree to go through with this performance. 

Priestly Pratt grew up to be a strikingly handsome young 
fellow. He was six feet in height, and stood perfectly erect. 
His head was well formed, and richly ornamented with 
dark, brown hair, his features were of Grecian caste, his 



I^emmisceiices of Newberry. 69 

chest was broad, and his limbs full and symmetrically 
shaped. He would have been pronounced by that accom- 
plished scholar and master of the English tongue, Sir Ed- 
. ward BulwerLytton, a beautiful man. 

When war was declared between the United States and 
jNIexico, Young Pratt. John W. Stewart, Richard C, Carwile 
and John C. Higgins, all former schoolmates and compan- 
ions of my youth, ottered their services, and were accepted, 
as members of Capt. James H. Williams's company of the 
famous Palmetto Regiment. These young men entered the 
army with the dew of youth still upon them, glowing with 
anticipations of stirring adventure and visions of military 
glory : 

" How beautiful is youth, how bright it gleams. 
With its illusions, aspirations, dreams! 
Book o( Beginnings, Story without End, 
Each maid a heroine and each man a friend ! 
Aladdin's Lamp and Forlunatus Puise, 
That holds tlie treasures of the Universe ! 
All poss^ibilities are in its hands. 
No danger daunts and no foe withstands ; 
In its sublime audacity of failii, 
Be ihou removed it to the mountain salth, 
And "With ambitious feet secure and proud, 
Ascends the ladder leaning on the cloud." 

Alas ! how little did they know of the dark future just 
ahead of them. 

Capt. William's company, on the day before it left New- 
berry, was encamped at the old Ebenezer Camping-ground. 
It marched thence to Hamburg, S. C, where it joined its regi- 
ment. On the morning of its departure I accompanied my 
young friends as far as the highway leading to Bouknight's 
Ferry. Here the company was halted and the soldiers given a 
few minutes in which to take leave of their friends. After 



70 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

farewells had been exchauged, I remounted my horse, and, 
with a sad heart, watched the receding forms of my youth- 
ful companions until a turn in the road hid them from my 
view It was the last time I ever looked into the faces of 
Piatt, Stewart and Carwile. They all died of disease in 
Mexico. Only Higgins lived to return. 

Ah ! how well do I remember that parting scene ! I re- 
member even the appearance of the lane in which we stood, 
and surrounding objects, as we often remember that upon 
which the eye rests almost unconsciously in a supreme 
moment of our lives ; and the memory of the faces and 
forms of those dead boys, and of all the happy years we spent 
together, exploring the streams and forests, and roaming- 
over the fields around Newberry in the long past, is deeply' 
graven on my heart and can never be efl'aced. 

The body of Stewart was brought back to Newberry, and 
now sleeps in Rosemont Cemetery. The bo lies of Pratt and 
Carwile are sleeping beneath the inhospitable soil of Mexico. 
Diligent efforfs were made to recover them, but without 
success. 

Just before the Mexican war, one George Guzman, a 
German music teacher, came to Newberry. He was very 
poor, but had evidently known better days. I do not know 
that he ev^er gave any account of his previous history. He 
played with skill and taste. There are some persons still 
living in Newberry who will remember his exquisite play- 
ing of "Home, iSweet Home," in two parts on one violin. 
He very soon organized a small orchestra from his pupils, 
and gave to the people of Newberr3% who had not been so 
fortunate as to visit larger places, their first enjoyment of 
orchestral music. He was quite skilful in arranging music- 
and always had before him, when drilling his orchestra or 
playing in public, a large book, which he called his "Parti- 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 71 

tura," in which was written all the parts of each piece on 
the same page, so that he could detect at once a mistake 
made by any of the performers. 

With tliat spirit of adventure which probably brought 
him to Newberry, Guzman joined Capt. Williams's com- 
pany when it was being organized for the Mexican war. 

As the war progressed there were many anxious hearts in 
Newberry, awaiting the slow progress of the mai's to bring 
them news of their friends, but very few, if any, thought of 
Guzman. When the army began its toilsome march from 
Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico, fighting as it advanced, 
letters began to be received, telling of the sickness of one 
and the death of another. Then it was that the nobleness 
of Guzman's character was brought to light. These letters 
contained stories of his unselfish devotion to the sick, weary 
and dying young men ot his company, which brought tears 
to the eyes of strong men, and caused mothers, while they 
earnestly prayed for the preservation of the lives of their 
sons, to remember also, in their prayers, tb* poor, homeless 
wanderer who, sometimes in disregard of his own comfort 
and safety, carried their boys on his back rather than leave 
them behind. 

Guzman gave up his life a sacrifice to his adopted coun- 
try, and sleeps with hundreds more of the gallant Palmetto 
Regiment, under Mexican soil. 



CHAPTER VI. 



The old court house— a day court— gen. h h. kixard 

SHERIP^F — JUDGE o'NEALL ON THE BENCH— Y. J. HAR- 
RINGTON CLERK— JAMES J. CALDWELL SOLICITOR- 
RAPID DISPATCH OF BUSINESS— FLEXIBILITY OF TUF. 
OLD JUDICIARY SYSTEM— L.. J. JoNES, HIS REMARK- 
ABLE CAREER OF FIFTY YEARS AS A LAWYER— JOHN 
CALDWELL, MEMBER OF TUB LEGISLATURE, CASHIER 
' OF THE BANK OF THE STATE, HIS ELOQUENCE AT THi: 
BAR AND BEFORE THE PEOPLE— P. C. CALDWELL, MEM- 
BER OF THE BAR, OF THE LEGISLATURE, OF CONGRESS, 
OF STATE SENATE — SILAS L. HILLER, LAWYER, MEM- 
B1:R of THf] LEGISLATURE, TEACHER — HENRY^ SUM- 
MER, ATTORNEY, MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE, 
ELlfCTED TO SOUTHERN CONGRESS IN 1851, MEMBER 
OF STATE CONVENTION IN 1865, ENTHUSIASTIC LOVER 
AND COLLECTOR OF BOOKS— GRAPHIC ACCOUNT OF THE 
PERILS AND SUFFERINGS OF THE FAMILY DURING 
SHERMAN'S MARCH (1865), NARRATED BY HIS WIFE, 
Mrs. FRANCES SUMMER — ADAM G. SUMMER, HIS 
SHORT CAREER AT THE BAR, DEVOTES HIMSELF TO 
AGRICULTURE AND LITERATURE, HIS SAD DEATH- 
GEORGE EPPS, HIS PROMISING PROFESSIONAL LIFE 
CUT SHORT BY HIS EARLY DEATH. 



Fabian.- I will prove it legitimate, sir, upon the oaths of judgment 
and reason. 

Sir Tob)j.— And they have been grand jury-men since before Noah 
was a sailor. 'I'lvelflh Night. 

THE old Court House, (which was removed in 1850), 
though not so commodious, was far more attractive to the 
eye than the present one. It had evidently been designed 
by an architect of more than ordinary skill and taste. 



Reminiscences of Neivberry. 73 

Before the main entrance, which was in the eastern end 
of the edifice, there was a portico, extending about two- 
thirds of the way across the front of the building. The en- 
tablature of the portico was sui)ported by four large Tuscan 
columns, resting upon a brick floor, beneath this there was 
a vestibule. Through this vestibule you entered an arched 
hall-way, upon which the offices of the court officers 
opened. The floor of the portico was reached by semi-cir- 
cular fiiglns of granite steps on each side. From the por- 
tico you passed through a spacious doorway, into a hall, on 
both sides of which were stairways leading to the specta- 
tors' gallery above. At the opposite end of this hall you 
passed through a high arch-way into the court-room, the 
ceiling of which was very high and vaulted ; the points of 
the arches supported in part by two tall Tuscan columns 
standing equi-distant between the centre and the side-walls 
of the room. The seats and tables provided for the Bar 
were on a platform in the middle of the room, elevated 
some distance above the floor ; the seats for the juries were 
arranged in tiers diagonally across the corners of the court 
room, on the right and left of the Judge's seat, which was 
at the end of the room, opposite the entrance. 

Let us in imagination go back nearly half a century ; 
pass through the front door, with its massive shutters 
thrown wide open — fit emblem of a Court of Justice— and 
look upon the scene within. 

It is the first day of the term. The Sheriff", Gen. H. H. 
Kinard, standing at the railing of the portico, has just 
made, in a clear ringing voice, the following announce- 
ment : 

" Oyez ! Oyez ! All manner of persons having business 
in this Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions, for 
Newberry District, are required to give attendance, for this 



74 Reminiscences of Xewherrri. 

Honorable Court now sits."* Judge O'Neall, in the vigor 
of his rnanlioocl, and arrayed in a flowing blaclv silk robe is 
seated on the bench, his eyes glancing rapidly over the as- 
sembly. At a desk in front of, and just beneath the Judge's 
seat stands the clerk, Y. J. Harrington, and by his side sits 
his life-long friend, busily engaged in writing ; the assistant 
clerk, John S Carwile. At a table opposite the clerk's desk, 
we see the tall and spare, but very erect figure of the solici- 
tor, James J. Caldwell, who is administering oaths to wit- 
nesses in order to send them before the grand jury. The 
calm repose of his clear-cut features, and compressed lips 
plainly disclose the unflinching resolve of the faithful pub- 
lic officer, yet in his eyes there is an expression of gentle- 
ness approaching to sadness, arising from his well-known 
compassion not only for the accused, but also for the inno- 
cent and helpless ones, upon whom the punishment and 
disgrace of a guilty criminal so often falls with their most 
crushing effect. 

The grand jury having been organized and furnished by 
the Solicitor with a number of indictments for investiga- 
tion. Judge O'Neall proceeds at once to deliver his 
charge. He speaks in a clear, sonorous voice, which can 
be distinctly heard out upon the Public Square. The mo- 
iiient he begins to speak there is a rush by the crowd out- 
side to gain admittance into the Court-room. This pro- 
duces a temporary disturbance, which is quickly repressed 
by the imperious voice of the sheriff'. The Judge proceeds 
and the people listen in profound silence and with unflag- 
ging attention, as he points out to the jury the far-reaching 



*ln the days of which I am here writing, and for many years after- 
wards, the announcement of the opening and adjournment of tlie 
Court vas made by the sheriff himself and not by a constable, as 
at the present time. 



Remimscences of Newberry. 75 

power and authority with which they are clothed, and 
boldly and earnestly adjures them to be diligent and fear- 
less in the discharge of their duties. 

The grand jury having retired; the petit juries are speed- 
ily organized. Now while the solicitor is still engaged in 
swearing witnesses to go before the grand jury, in order 
that other bills may be given to them, Judge O'Neall at 
once takes up the business of the Common Pleas, by passing 
orders, and by rapidly disposing of cases on the Summary 
Process and Enquiry Docket* 

Here we see the flexibility of an admirable judiciary sys- 
tem, which enables a judge to turn at any time from one 
side of the Court to the other, as the business may demand.* 
The Court proceeds with the utmost dispatch. No tedious 
delays are allowed; and woe-betide the lawyer, officer of 
Court or witness who is not promptly in his place. 

Among the Attorneys at the Bar, w^e see John Caldwell, 



•*=Cases on the Summary Process Ducket.were heard at the first term 
after suit was brought, and decided by the Judge; except in rare in- 
stances where a. jury was demanded by one of the parties to the suit. 
The Summary Process Doeliet embraced all cases in wliijh the sum 
involved was not less than $20 nor more than about $85. The Enquiry 
Docket embraced all cases, above tlie Summary Process jurisdiction, 
in which no deience had been put in. When, iiowever, leave was ob- 
tained during the session to put in a defence tlie case was transferred 
to the Issue Docket. If there was no defence the case was referred to 
the c'erk, who assessed tlie damages and wrote a decree for the 
amount on the Declaration, now called the Comp aint. 

* Equity cases were heard in a separate Court, called the " Court of 
Equity," over which Chancellors presided. The writer is not a 
lawyer and cannot therefore claim to be a verj' c »nipeLent critic ; and 
he is aware that some of his honored legal friends are of a different 
♦jpinion ; yet he believes that it was a sad day for South Carolina, 
when her venerable Courts were uprooted to make way for the present 
judiciary system. 



76 Reminiscences of Nevherry. 

Patrick C. Caldwell, Simeon Fair, Henry Summer, Thomas 
H. Pope. Adam Summer, Lambert J. Jones, Silas L. Heller, 
and George Epps, of Newberry; James H. Irby, C. P. Sul- 
livan and Henry C Young, of Laurens; and Z. P. Herndon, 
Wallace Thompson and Davis Goudelock, of Union. 

Of all this goodly company, Lambert J. Jones is the only 
survivor. 

Mr. Jones, who is a native of Newberry County, is still 
actively engaged in the pursuit of his profession. After his 
admission to the bar, he began the practice of law at New- 
berry in 1839, and since that time has not been absent from 
a single session of the Courts at that place. His remarkable 
career of fifty years as a lawyer has been filled with unflag- 
ging professional labor and attention to the interests of his 
clients, and exceeds, in point of time, that of any other 
lawyer who has ever practiced at Newberry. 

Of James J. Caldwell, Simeon Fair and Thomas H. Pope, 
I shall write hereafter. 

John Caldwell was born in Newberry District, near Mill 
Creek, on the 9th of September, 1785. He was the eldest 
son of William Caldwell, *whose remarkable career as a sol- 
dier of the Revolution is recorded in Judge O'Neall's "An- 
nals of Newberry." Having received a good academical 
education, he entered the South Carolina College, and com- 
pleted the course in 1807, being a member of the second 
class, graduated from that institution. He was married in 

* This distinguished family, once so numerous in Newberry, lias not 
now a male representative of the name in the County. The only 
representatives of the family in the County arc, Mrs. Elizabeth Hig- 
gins, her children, grand-children and greal-grand-children. Mrs. 
Higgins still owns her sliare of her father's real estate, which has 
been in the family one hundred and seventeen years."'—" The Cald- 
wells of Mill Creek." Newberry Observer, April 28, 1887. 



J^emiiiisceuce!^ of Neivberry. 77 

1808 to Miss Elizabeth Hunter, of Laurens District. In 1809 
he was admitted to tlie bar, and entered upon the practice 
of law at Newberr^''. 

" In October, 1812, Mr. Caldwell was elected to the House 
of Representatives, in the General Assembly of South Caro- 
lina. In December of that year, orignated the Bank of the 
State of South Carolina, Mr. Caldwell was one of its most 
active supporters, and was elected a director, and to his 
astonishment, at the extra session of 1813, found he had 
vacated his seat in the House, by accepting a directorship 
in the Bank. He was elected Cashier of the Branch of that 
Bank in Columbia, and removed there in the spring of 1814. 
In May, 1814, Judge O'Neall, who had studied law^ with 
him, was admitted to the bar, and settled at Newberry, as 
the partner of Mr. Caldwell, and together they did a large 
and profitable busine-s. * * -^ In January, 1810, Mrs. 
Caldwell died. -' * ^' This unfortunate event determined 
Mr. Caldwell to remove from Columbia. He resigned his 
cashiership, which was ftir, very far from profitable to him; 
indeed he sustained a heavy loss in settling his accounts. 
^. «^ * * jje returned to the town of Newberry, and on the 
17th of October, 1816, he was married to Abigail, eldest 
daughter of Hugh O'Neall, and sister of Judge O'Neall. 

" The partnership between him and Judge O'Neall closed 
about the period of his first wife's death. «• * * From 
1818, Mr. Caldwell resumed business, as a lawyer, at New- 
berry and Lexington. In 1824— '20 and '28, he was returned 
as a member of the House of Representatives of South 
Carolina."* 

About the year 1835 Mr. Caldwell was paralyzed both in 
his limbs and tongue, having previously received a serious 

* " O'JVealVs Bench and Bar of South Carolina.'' 



7cS Reminiscences of Neirberri/. 

injury by a fall. Notwitstanding these misfortunes he con- 
tinued for some time to attend the sessions of the Courts at 
Newberry, but his career as a lawyer may be said to have 
ended when his great afflictions fell upon him. 

Mr. Caldwell died on the 15th of January, 1856, in the 
71st year of his age. 

In the 'sketch from which I have already- quoted, Judge 
O'Neal! says : " John Caldwell, when young, was possessed 
of more physical powers than usually fall to the lot of man. 

Intellectually, he was no common man. If he had had in- 
dustry, he ought to have compared very w^ell with his great 
kinsman, John C. Calhoun.* He was an excellent ac- 
countant and surveyor. As a lawyer, he did not pretend to 
learning ; as an advocate, in the management of a case, he 
possessed unrivalled talents. His quick, clear perception of 
everything made him ready for any turn of his case. Be- 
fore a jury his power as an advocate very often gave him 
success. Indeed, at Lexington he had unrivalled sway." 

Mr. Caldwell does not seem to have been a very diligent 
student, or a pains-taking practitioner. He appears to have 
relied too much upon his powers as a speaker, and this, to- 
gether Math his convivial disposition, interfered to prevent 
the achievement of that full measure of success, which 
should have crowned his life. 

His eloquent tongue was restrained by the hand of Provi- 
dence before I was old enough to appreciate his gifts as an 
orator, but I have often heard my father and others— con- 
temporaries of Mr. Caldwell — speak in unqualified praise of 

* Martha Caldwell, the daughter of William Caldwell, (the grand- 
father of John Caldwell,) married Patrick Calhoun, and from this 
marriage sprang South Carolina's greatest statesman, John Caldwell 
Calh. un. 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 79 

his admirable speeclies. He was an ardeat supporter of 
" Nullification," and his greatest oratorical efforts were 
probably made during the exciting discussions of that 
question. From all the accounts which tradition has 
brought down to us, there can be no doubt that he was one 
of the most brilliant and eloquent orators that Newberry 
has ever produced. 

The last time I saw Mr. Caldwell, he was sitting by his 
fireside, dressed in along, red fiaunel dressing gown which 
he commonly wore, his body sadly bent from the effiects of 
rheumatism and paralysis. But he was bright and cheer- 
ful, (indeed, I never saw him depressed,) and one could see 
in his expressive face, illuminated, as it was, by his bright, 
piercing eyes, something of the power by which, in former 
days, he could so wonderfully sway the feelings of a mul- 
titude. 

Patrick Calhoun Caldwell was born in Newberry Dis- 
trict on the 10th of March, 1801. He was the son of William 
Caldwell, and the brother of John Caldwell, whose life has 
just been sketched. He was graduated from the South Caro- 
lina College in 1820, and admitted to the Bar in 1822. On 
the 18th of December, 1827, he was married to Frances E, 
Nance, (the daughter of Major Frederick and Elizabeth 
Rutherford Nance,) who died on the 3rd of March, 1832. He 
was elected a member of the House of Representatives in 
the Legislature of South Carolina from Newberry in 1836, 
and re-elected to the same position in 1838. In 1840 he was 
elected a member of the House of Representatives in the 
Congress of the United States from the Congressional Dis- 
trict of South Carolina, then composed of the Districts of 
Laurens, Newberry, Fairfield and Lexington. 

In the canvass which preceded his election to Congress, 
Mr. Caldwell is said to have displayed unusual ability and 



80 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

effectiveness as a ''stump-speaker." His opponents were 
Col. James H. Irby, of Laurens, and Mr. Samuel Barclay, 
of Fairfield. I can recall only one scene in that canvass. 
In company with some other boys I walked out one summer 
day to " Teague's Old Field," about three miles west of the 
village, to witness a review of the 38th Eegiment of Militia, 
by Gen. James J. Caldwell, (who was afterwards made a 
Chancellor.) At the close of the review the General, sitting 
on his tall, clean-limbed, sorrel horse, "Snipe," delivered a 
stirring speech to the Kegiment. After the parade was over 
the crowd repaired to a grove near by, to hear speeches by 
Col. Irby and Mr. Caldwell. (Mr. Barclay was not present.) 

I remember nothing about the questions discussed. I 
have, however, a distinct recollection of the personal ap- 
pearance of both the speakers, and of many others who were 
present ; among them the erect, portly figure and hand- 
some face of General .John K. Griffin, who had previously 
represented the Congressional District for many years ; but 
had at this time declined to be a candidate again, I also 
remember that "we boys" remained silent during the ap- 
plause which followed Col. Irby's speech, but when Mr. 
Caldwell had finished his speech, with characteristic home 
pride— we "just hollered " and threw into the air our straw 
hats, already badly damaged, from frequent use in attack- 
ing "yellow jackets'" nests and scooping minnows from 
the branches, and that we left the "muster ground" 
thoroughly convinced that Col. Irby had been completely 
demolished by Mr. Caldwell, who we believed could " beat 
anybody." 

In 1848, Mr. Caldwell was elected to the Senate of South 
Carolina, from Newberry District. 

I have not been able to find any records that throw much 
light upon the public career of Mr. Caldwell, and as I was 



Honiriiscences of Neirherrii. SI 

quite a young man when he was compelled from bodily 
affliction to retire from the active duties of life. I am not 
so well informed as to the extent of his legal learning and 
abilities as I could wish to be. He must have been, how- 
ever, a successful lawyer ; he left at his death, a handsome 
estate, much of which T suppose he accumulated from the 
income of his practice. He was for a number of years the 
law partner of Chancellor James J. Caldwell. His career 
as a Representative and Senator in the State Legislature, 
and as a Representative in the Congress of the United 
States, through not marked by any special distinction, 
appears to have been very successful, and to have given 
entire satisfaction to his constituents. 

Of all the men of the past in Newberry, whom I knew, I 
think he enjoyed the most uniform popularity. He was 
cheerfulness personified. His very appearance and manner 
were suggestive of good humor and pleasantry, he was 
short of stature, of rotund figure, walked with quick short 
steps ; and there was always a merry twinkle in his eyes ; 
and a pleasant smile on his face. He was cordially greeted 
by the people wherever he went. He died on the 22d of 
November, 1855, from the effects of a stroke of paralysis 
which fell upon him three years before. 

Silas L. Heller, was a native of Newberry District. From 
the most reliable information, I have obtained, I infer that 
he was born, about the year 1803. He was graduated from 
the South Carolina College in 1826. In 1831, he was married 
to Miss Mary Lorick, of Newberry District. He was elected 
a member of the House of Representatives of South Carolina 
from Newberry, in 1832. About the year, 1848, he removed 
to Texas. During his residence in South Carolina, he w^as 
at different times engaged in school teaching, at Prosperity, 
G 



82 Hemmiscences of Neirberry. 

at Newberry, and at Cokesbury, S. C. As a teacher he was 
very successful in imparting knowledge to his pupils. 

Mr. Heller's early life gave promise of great usefulness 
and success. He was a thorough Greek and Latin scholar, 
master of the English tongue, and a gifted and fluent 
speaker. But he appears to have been deficient in energy, 
and attention to the practical details of business ; and 
he early fell into habits of intemperance so that his 
professional career cannot be said to have been a successful 
one. 

It has now been many years since he went down into the 
valley of death, and. I gladly turn from the mention of his 
frailties, to speak of his virtues and drop a tear to his 
memory. He was a man of undoubted integrity, kind 
hearted and inoffensive. I shall never forget his patient 
kindness, and painstaking attention as my teacher at 
school, and as my private tutor afterwards. 

After the death of his wife, which occurred in Texas, Mr. 
Heller came back (about the year 1872), to Newberry ; and 
died shortly af er his return, at the home of his brother, 
Joel B. Heller. 

Henry Summer was descended from German ancestors. 
He was the son of Captain John Summer, and was born at 
Pomaria, Lexington District, S. C., on the 11th of April, 
1809. His paternal great-grandfather, Colonel John Adam 
Summer, emigrated from Pennsylvania to South Carolina 
before the American Revolution, He was the pioneer set- 
tler and founder of the German colony which settled in 
that portion of the Districts of Newberry and Lexington 
between the Broad and Saluda Rivers, still known as the 
"Dutch Fork." 

Both his paternal great-grandfather and his grandfather, 
(Nicholas Summer), were soldiers in the American army 



Bemini.'icenccs of Ne wherry. 83 

during the Revolution. The grandfather was accidentally 
killed at Granby, near Columbia, S. C, during the war. 

The wife of Captain John Summer (and mother of Henry 
Summer) was the daughter of William Frederick Houseal, 
of Lexington District, S. C. 

Mr. Summer was graduated from the South Carolina 
College in 1832. After his graduation he read law, 
and was admitted to the Bar in 1833. " He began the 
practice of law at Lexington, S. C, where he re- 
mained one year, and then removed to Talladega, Alabama, 
where he continued to practice law until the death of his 
brother Nicholas, who was killed in the Florida war. His 
brother left his law library to him on condition that he 
should return to South Carolina and practice law at New- 
berry C. H., which he did."* 

On the 22d of December, 1846, he was married to Miss 
Frances Mayer, the daughter of Major Adam Mayer, of 
Lexington, and the sister of Dr. O. B. Mayer, Sen., of New- 
berry. 

He was elected a member of the House of Representatives 
of South Carolina in 1846, and was re-elected to the same 
position in 1848. 

In 1851 Mr. Summer and Dr. J. J. Wardlaw, of Abbeville 
were elected to represent the Districts of Edgefield, Abbe- 
ville, Newberry and Lexington, (composing the Con- 
gressional District of South Carolina) in a Southern Con- 
gress, to be assembled to consider the attitude of tlie Fed- 
eral Government towards the slaveholding States, and re- 
commend some course to be pursued. f There were two par- 
ties in the State at the time ; one in favor of separate State 
action, if the co-operation of other States could not be se- 

* Biographical sketcli, Newberry Xews, October 18, 1878. 
t Act of Legislature, passed Tecember 18-50. 



84 Rerniniscences of Xevherr)/, 

cured ; and the other in favor ot action, only, with the co- 
operation of other States. Mr. Summer and Dr. Wardhiw 
were the candidates of the Co-operation party, which tri- 
umplied in a majority of the Districts of the State. The 
proposed Convention, liowever, never assembled. In Sep- 
tember, 1855, he was elected a member of the Convention 
which convened in Columbia on the 13th of that month, 
under the proclamation of B. F. Perry, Provisional Gov- 
ernor of South Carolina, "for the purpose of altering and 
amending the present Constitution of South Carolina, or 
remodeling and making a new one, which will conform to 
great changes which t^ave taken place in the State." 

Mr. Summer was from its organization an ardent friend 
of Newberry College, and Avas for many years the Secretary 
of its Board of Trustees. 

Asa lawyer, he oc jiupied a highly respectable position. 
He w^as methodical in his habits, and prompt in his atten- 
tion to business. Indeed, so absorbed would be become in 
any business which he might have in hand that some per- 
sons who approached him at such times and who did not 
understand his peculiar temperament, were disposed to 
think that he was too stern and unbending. But he did not 
intend to be so ; his disposition was amiable and kind. One 
of the most prominent traits of his character was his truth- 
fulness. As a speaker, he was not especially gifted, j^et I 
have heard him on some occasions when he was truly elo- 
quent. In the social circle, he was very agreeable and en- 
tertaining. He was a great lover of books ; the enthusiasm 
he displayed in collecting the best editions of the works of 
celebrated authors amounted almost to bibliolatry. He 
devoted much time to miscellaneous reading; and his taste 
for other literature often led him away from the severer 
study of the law. 



Eemiuiscences of Neiiherry. 85 

111 the latter part of the year 1804, — the Courts having 
been virtually suspended — Mr. Sunimer removed from New- 
berry to his farm in Lexington District. During Sherman's 
memorable march through the State in 1865, Kilpatrick's 
command — as it swept over that portion of the country 
which lies along the western bank of Broad River, between 
Columbia and Alston — destroyed Mr. ^'ummer's houses and 
other property; and some of the soldiers went so far as to 
prepare for the hanging of Mr. Summer himself. 

I am sure that my readers will not find iu all these pages 
any thing more interesting than the following letter ad- 
dressed to me by Mr. Summer's very intelligent and estima- 
ble widov/, which gives a most faithful narrative of the 
sulferings of the family at that time, and of the inhuman 
treatment to which they were subjected. It deserves to be 
handed down to posterity, as a striking and graphic picture 
of the horrors of that march, in which hundreds of families 
in South Carolina became the victims of the incendiary's 
torch and the insults of brutal soldiers : 

PoMARiA, January 18th. 1888. 

My Lear Sir : I received your letter a few days since, and 
will endeavor to comply with your request as well as I can. 
After the lapse of twenty-three years, with their accompa- 
nying trials and sorrows, many things have passed from 
my mind, 

Saturday morning, 19th of February, 1865, we appre- 
hended no immediate danger, as Wheeler's men had been 
passing all day Friday, and two Confederate soldiers lodged 
with us that night ; and early Saturday morning, two men, 
professing to be friends, assured us that none of the enemy 
were near, although we knew that there had been fighting 
around Lexington the day before. 



86 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

It was not long before we saw coliniins of smoke arising 
below us, and gradually nearing us. While looking with 
much fear on all tiiis. we were greatly alarmed at seeing a 
bady of ferocious-looking men charging up the Lexington 
road that crossed the Prosperity road in fi'ont of our house. 
They surrounded and entered the house, and the work of 
pkmder began. We realized that we were helpless, with no 
friend near us, and at the mercy of thousands of lawless men, 
under no restraint. My husband had hoped that his age and 
feeble health would shield him from abuse and violence ; 
but the events of the day proved his mistake. He had on a 
light suit of jeans,— as the weather was mild, but kept his 
large shawl near, to throw around him when he nee led it; 
that they seized for the first thing and all his clothing fol- 
lowed, but what he had on. By this time they came swarm- 
ing in from every direction, until the yard and surrounding 
grounds were filled with armed men charging about, and 
even attempting to ride into the house; and the work of 
destruction went on. Every door, trunk, and bureau Mas 
broken open with hatchets, if the lock did not yield imme- 
diately, and the contents carried off", or scattered over the 
floor, to be trampled under their feet, or picked up by others, 
who crowded in- after them. As one party passed out, loaded 
with what they fancied, another came in; so that the house 
was packed with the vile wretches all day. I cannot now 
remember or repeat all their abusive and insulting language. 
INIy husband's pockets were searched many times and every 
thing taken, but a pocket calendar; the last man seized that, 
thinking it was a silver coin, but another man, standing 
by, ordered him to restore it, which he did. About one 
o'clock the large barn and other buildings in the lot were 
burned. 

We were told by some of the better men, that all this 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 87 

plunder and destruction was done by stragglers, who went 
ahead of the army, under no control, but when the regular 
army came up, disciplined and controlled by officers, we 
would be respected and protected ; but that was not so, for 
in the midst of this confusion Kilpatrlck came up, looked 
on with indifference, and saw his men carrying out every 
moveable thing to the roadside, to await their wagon train. 
He commanded the left wing of Sherman's army, eight 
thousand strong, mostly cavalry, but he must have had a 
large force of infantry, for while he was at the house they 
marched by; and both roads fronting the house, as far as the 
eye could see, were so densely packed with men that no one 
could have passed between them; while around the gate, 
over which a large United States flag was floating, cavalry 
and infantry seemed to trample upon each other. 

As soon as I learned that Kilpatrick was at the front steps, 
(he did not enter the house, but his staff and others crowded 
into my room where I and my children were,) I made my 
way, unaided, to him. My husband was standing in front 
of him, civilly answering such questions as he asked, such 
as the route to Hughey's Ferry, to Alston and Ravenscroft. 
I caught him by the arm to attract his attention, and begged, 
as only one in my extremity could, for protection. He im- 
patiently answered: " I am busy, go to the Provost Mar- 
shal/' I found him standing by the front door, inside the 
house, who, in answer to the same request, said : " That 
nothing could be done," But that was another falsehood ; 
for, while Kilpatrick was talking with my husband, a large 
column of infantry was marching down theroad to Hughey's 
Ferry — he quietly said to some one standing by : '' Halt 
that column !" and in a few minutes they had turned into 
the Alston road ; showing how well disciplined they were, 
and how quick to obey orders. 



88 Beminisccnces of Xeirbcrry. 

After Kilpatrick had all the information he wanted, he 
rode off", leaving us to our fate, not caring what it would be. 
When the sun went down, the men were all ordered within 
the picket lines, and we were left to ourselves. Then the 
horrors of the night began. We could not sleep, or let the 
light go out. fearing that the house would be burned over 
our heads. Only the younger children lay down to sleep, 
while the rest of us sat up during the long night, and kept 
a bright light. It was during that fearful watch that my hus- 
band told, for the first time, the trying ordeal through which 
he had passed that morning. Three or four of the savages 
forced him to go with them to the barn, and while they were 
putting a rope around his neck, demanded his gold and 
silver. He told them he had no gold, no money at all, for all 
had been already taken from him. They then made him 
stand on a sill, or something raised from the floor, and again 
demanded gold, declaring that they would hang him if he 
did not give it up They then threw the rope over a peg 
high up the wall, and made the same demand with the same 
threat. My husband, believing that death was very near, 
closed his eyes, and offered up an audible prayer for him- 
self and also for the men who were about to murder him.* 
That prayer, or something, seemed to touch one of the num- 

*In a letter written in 1817, to a friend. Mr. Summer, describing the 
scene in the barn, writes thus : " The only help I had was in that God 
ill Avhoin I have always trusted ; and to Him I ottered a prayer for 
protection, as I had told the truth, and commended mj'self to His 
power. 

In the same letter he relates the following colloquy between the 
leader of the party at the barn and himself, which ensued after his 
release. " I asked h'm, just as he was about mounting his horse, M'hat 
his name was, and where he was from? ' Green, and from Ohio,' was 
the reply. I looked him direct in the face, and asked him if he ever 
prayed. He said : ' Sometimes, w'hen he was at home.' I said to him: 
' Will, you pray for me.' He said : ' He would when he got home.' 1 
then replied, with earnestness and emphasis: 'J can pray for you.' 
He then mounted his horse and rode off." 



Eemhuscences of Xewherri/. 89 

ber, as he called the others aside, and after consultation, re- 
turned and told him to come down, but they still believed 
that he had the gold. 

Sunday morning dawned, and with the light our troubles 
began, and the whole day we were harassed by foraging 
parties of eight or ten who would gallop around the house 
like madmen, tramp through the house, look into the room 
where we were sitting, make some taunting or insulting re- 
mark, and then go out to make way for others. 

I must not omit here to say, that after early breakfast 
Saturday morning we had nothing to eat — everything was 
taken from us. After night one of the servants went into 
the storeroom, and, by sweeping and dusting the hominy 
barrel, got enough to make a scanty meal, by boiling husk 
and all. That we ate as well as we could, without spoons or 
knives. Sunday morning we found still some rice left, and 
that was all we had to eat until we came away. 

Sunday, about 2 o'clock, as we were sitting in our room, 
dejected and miserable, not knowing what the next hour 
would bring to us, two men rushed hastily into the room ; 
one of them seized a match and said : ' Give me one hun- 
dred dollars, or I will burn your house.'' With that he 
rushed up stairs, where everything combustible was scat- 
tered over the floor. My husband said to his companion : 
"Surely you will not allow that man to burn my house." 
He replied, indifferently, he did not think he would do it. 
By this time the wretch had applied the match to papers 
and cotton at the head of the stairs, and in five minutes 
every thing was blazing. There was no water at hand, and we 
made no attempt to put out the fire, for the servant women, 
as well as ourselves, were too much exhausted to do any- 
thing but gather up a few things that were lying about on 
the floor, and make our escape to the orchard. Two of their 



90 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

men galloped up in this time, and did everything in their 
power to save everything from the burning building. They 
managed to take out the bed in my room and the children's 
beds." While we were sitting by the little pile of things 
saved, we were still annoyed by the savages, for parties of 
them would ride around us, shoot their carbines, dismount 
and turn over whatever was lying around us, to rob us still 
further, if they saw anything to suit them. Some of them 
told the negroes that if we went into their house, which 
w^as the only one left, they would come back that night and 
set it on fire. We therefore remained in the orchard until 
dark, and each one was thoroughly chilled. Hoping, then, 
that the last one had gone within the lines, we ventured to 
go into the negro house, where we passed another miserable 
night. 

When Monday morning came, we could not see ten steps 
from the door ; we were girdled by fire, the woods having 
caught from the burning houses. The smoke was so dense 
that when the sun arose it looked like a bal? of fire. The 
desolation was indescribable. Our nearest neighbor, who 
had been hiding out, now came up, and told us that the 
whole army had gone. 

Monday evening, about 4 o'clock, a message came from 
brother William Summer for us to try and get to his house, 
as they had a little bread and a shelter left. So we started 
and walked the distance of four miles, the youngest child 
being only seven years old. Our children behaved admira- 
bly during that trying time ; John was thirteen and Kate 
seven. Although frightened, they were calm and quiet, 
and never once asked for anything to eat, which would 

*Mr. Summer had carried about eight hundred volumes (a part of 
his valuable librai-y) from his home in Newberry to his farm in Lex- 
ington. All these were destroyed with his house. 



jRoiih'iiscences of Xeicberrj/. 91 

have added much to my distress, for I did not have it to 
give tliem. 

The crowning evil and injury caused by the events just 
related was yet to follow. I shall always believe that my 
husband's death was hastened by exposure with insufficient 
clothing to the inclement weather that followed shortly 
after, and anxiety about the condition of his family, and 
his great losses. True he was an invalid, but the great care 
that he took of himself would have prolonged his life many 
years perhaps. 

Very respectfully, your friend, 

FRANCES SUMMER. 

After the destruction of his property, Mr. Summer re- 
turned to Newberry, where he remained until his death, 
which took place on the 3d of January, 1869. 

Adam Geiselhardt Summer, who was the son of Captain 
John Summer, and the brother of Henry Summer, was born 
at Pomaria, on the 22d of August, 1818, He received a good 
academic education, chiefly at Lexington, S. C. He was 
not a graduate of any college. He was admitted to the bar 
in 1840, and entered upon the practice of law at Newberry. 

Mr. Summer was a man of unusual mental power — he 
seemed to absorb knowledge as a sponge takes up water. He 
readily acquired a knowledge of the theory of the law, but 
had no taste nor aptitude for the dry and practical details 
of its practice. He was most su(;cessful as an advocate, 
especially in cases where there were opportunities offered 
for appealing to the humanity of juries, or for the display 
of wit and satirical humor. He early gave up the practice 
of law, and removed to Columbia, S. C, where he published 
and edited for several years the South Carolinian, a weekly 
newspaper. Having disposed of his interest in the Caro- 



92 Reminiscences of Nevherry. 

Imian, he subsequently removed to " Raveuscroft," a farm 
in Lexington District, and devoted himself chiefly to agri- 
culture. In 1850 he was elected a member of the House of 
Representatives of South Carolina from Saxe-Gotha (Lex- 
ington) District. In 1857 he purchased land in Florida and 
removed to that State. 

'' In the time of the Confederate war he adhered to his 
principles, volunteered and went to Virginia, and was made 
Brigade Judge Advocate under General Magruder, and 
afterwards commissioned as a commissary and a command 
i:)ut under his charge to go to Florida and forward supplies 
to the army. In this latter position he remained until the 
end of the war."* 

On the 22d of September, 1865. he was married to Miss 
Margaret J. Starke, the daughter of Maj. Thomas Starke, 
of Kershaw District, S. C 

While on a visit to Charleston, in 18(3(5, he became quite 
ill, and, contrary to the wishes of his friends, started to join 
his wife (in accordance with a previous promise made to 
her), who was then with her grandmother, Mrs Starke, in 
Kershaw. But after leaving the railway train at Ridgeway 
he became so exhausted that he had to stop, within eight 
miles of Mrs. Starke's, at Col. John Peay's, and died there 
on the Gth of July of that year. 

The picture of Mr. Summer dying in the prime of life, 
within a few miles of his beloved wife, upon whose face his 
eyes were never to look again, nor to be gladdened 
by the sight of his only child (a daughter), born 
a few days after his death, would be inexpressibly sad and 
sombre, if unrelieved by his entire submission to the will 
of God. His life-long friend, Dr. (). B, Mayer, Sen., who 

* Biographical Hl<.eich. — JVewberri/ JVeics, 1878. 



Roniniscences of Neirberri/. 93 

was with him at the time, relates: "That just before he 
died he attempted to sit up, under a sense of suffocation. 
He was too weak to rise, and recognizing the true nature of 
his distress, he gave me a looli of deep tenderness and said, 
joining liis liands in a feeble clasp, ' Well, I place all my af- 
fairs in the hands of God.' " These were his last w^ords, 
and in a few moments after he passed away. 

Mr. Summer was a somewhat erratic and visionarj^ man, 
yet many of the schemes which his enthusiastic nature led 
him to adopt — though they yielded very little profit to him- 
self—were productive of much benefit to the country. He 
introduced new methods of farming, new agricultural im- 
plements and machinery, and improved breeds of live stock 
Into the country. He was a member and active supporter 
of the Newberry Agricultural Society for many years, and 
wrote many articles for agricultural journals. He had a re- 
fined and cultivated literary taste. His genial manners and 
fine conversational powers secured for him a hearty wel- 
come into the most cultivated and intelligent circles. He 
devoted much time to literature, and numbered among his 
friends many of the most prominent literary people of the 
day. He wrote articles for the Southern Quarterly Review^ 
the Southern Literary Messenger, and other Southern period- 
icals. He also wrote humorous character sketches and and 
stories for the Neiv York Spirit of the Times, which attracted 
considerable attention. "The Last Quaker Meeting," a 
sketch republished in Judge O'Neall's Annals of Newber- 
ry, was written by Mr. iSummer, and originally published 
in the Newherry Sentinel.^ 

My heart always grows warm w^hen I think of Adam 

* T/ie JSewherry Sentinel, the first newspaper ever published in New- 
berry, was established by James H. Giles, in I8J7. Mr. Giles died at 
Graniteville, S. C, Sept. 12lh, 18^5, aged 72 years. 



94 Reminiscences of Newherry. 

Summer, the friend of my youth. He was distinguished 
for his disinterested Ivindness and generosity. Wherever 
he found young persons striving to acquire knowledge, or 
exhibiting a love and taste for music, or other branches of 
the fine arts, he encouraged them by the loan of books, and 
in every way within his power. And while the inspiration 
they derived from him may not have always led to prac- 
tical results, it certainly served to refine, elevate, and make 
their lives brighter and happier. 

In his excellent library I saw, soon after its publication, 
the only copy of Audubon's magnificent work, *' The Birds 
of America," ever brought to Newberry. Never can I for- 
get the impression made upon my youthful mind by its 
life-like and beautiful illustrations. If a purse of gold and 
the book had been presented together, I would have scorned 
the gold and gladly accepted the book. 

Measured by the commonly received opinion that the ac- 
cumulation of wealth is the test of a man's success, Mr. 
Summer's life might be considered a failure. But how can 
that life be considered a failure which was filled with deeds 
of kindness, and carried sunshine and happiness to so many 
hearts. 

George F. Epps, who was the son of Daniel Epps, was 
born in that section of Newberry County known as " Mollo- 
hon." He was graduated from Randolph Macon College, 
Virginia, was admitted to the Bar in 1841, and entered upon 
the practice of law at Newberry. 

I do not remember any young man who began his profes- 
sional career under more favorable conditions than Mr. 
Epps. He was not wealthy, yet he was free from the re- 
straints of poverty, and the privations which often beset the 
path of a young professional man. He was well informed, 
of studious habits, and withal a thorough man of affairs, 



Hemhiiscences of NfAvhcrry. 95 

who gave attention to the practical side of life. He was af- 
fable and courteous in manner, buoyant and hopeful in dis- 
position. 

His professional career of Ave years was too short to have 
fully developed his capacity as a lawyer, bi^t he may be said 
to have been very successful for one who had been for so 
brief a period at the Bar. 

It was my good fortune to be numbered among Mr. 
Epps' intimate friends and associates. In the latter part 
of the summer of 1846, accompanied by George Parks,* a 
young man highly esteemed by both of us. he came to 
Greenville, S. C, (where I was loitering on my return from 
a summer tour into the mountains of western Nortli Caro- 
lina) to spend a week with me. We (Epps, Parks and my- 
self) occupied during the visit a large airy apartment in the 
famous old Long Hotel. We gave ourselves up to that free 
and unalloyed mirth and enjoyment, which only those who 
are bound together by the most intimate and cordial ties of 
friendship and congeniality can know. The happy week 
passed away all too soon. My regret at parting with 
my friends was mitigated however by the confident ex- 
pectation of rejoining them in a short time at home. 



*George Parks was a native of one of the New England States He 
came to Newberr3- about the j^ear 1855, to take charge of the Male 
Academy, over which he presided successfully for several years, and 
then removed to Charleston, S. C, where he died. He was graduated, 
I think, from Brown University, Rhode Island. He very soon con- 
vinced the people of Newberry that New Englanders were not all 
cold and distant in manner and disposition, as they had been disposed 
to think of thejr. He was a jovial, whole-souled, generous fellow, full 
of vivacity and good nature and not without the more solid attrac- 
tions of a well cultivated intellect, aiid a wholesome Christian exam- 
ple. He made many friends in Newberry, and his departure was uni- 
versally regretted. 



96 /Reminiscences of Neivherry. 

But I was never permitted to greet Mr. Epps again. He 
died (on the inth of September, 1846) onl^' a few days after 
his return to Newberry. 

Mr. Epps had been for many years previous to his death 
a devoted member of tlie Methodist Church. 

" His death-bed impressed deeply and indelibly upon the 
minds of his friends who saw it, the purity and sincerity of 
his past life and profession. * * ?t -::- -;; -k 

Bright were his prospects in this life, but still brighter, on 
a deathbed were his prospects for eternity. He dropped into 
the grave like ripe fruit, fully matured. Like tlie descend- 
ing snowflake which noiselessly sinks into the bosom of that 
maternal ocean which first exhaled its virgin vapors, his pure 
and spotless spirit softly and silently sunk back to repose 
into the bosom of the Divine mercy from which it sprang, 
and to which it had long been tending. "->■ 

*Obituary publi^hert October, 184J. 



CHAPTER VII. 



Great religious awakeninci— organization and his- 
tory OF the baptist churc'h— picture of a 

CHURCH edifice FIFTY YEARS AGO— REV. J. M. 
BARNES— REV. N. W. HODGES— REV. DANIEL MaNGUM 
—REV. THOMAS FREAN— REV. SAM'L. GIBSON— REV. 
JNO. G. LANDRUM -REV. M. C. BARNETT— REV\ RICH- 
ARD FURMAN, D. D. 



WHEN I was brought by my parents to Newberry in 
1828, there was no Church organization, or House of 
worship in the place. There were but few church members, 
probably not more tlian fifteen or twenty altogether, then 
living in the village. The Rev. Samuel P. Pressly, of the 
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, was the only 
minister of the Gospel residing in the place. He was en- 
gaged during the week in teaching school, and his sabbaths 
were employed in preaching to four churches in the sur- 
rounding country. He preached occasionally to the people 
of the village in the Court House. 

The house of worship, of the Newberry Baptist Church, 
was the first church edifice erected in the village. In 
giving some account of the early history of this Church and 
of the great religious awakening, out of which it sprang, 
I shall quote freely from a " Memorial Discourse " delivered 
on the 1st day of January, 188J, by the Rev. liUther 
Broadus, (now deceased), who was then pastor of the 

Church. 

7 97 



98 Reminiscences of Narberry. 

It is a fact that has been commented upon, but has never 
been satisfactorily explained, that great political move- 
ments are often attended or followed by great religious 
movements. 

In January 1S30, during the firm and independent ad- 
ministration of that man of iron will, Andrew Jackson, 
occurred the celebrated debate between Hayne and Webster, 
with reference to States rights and Federal relations, and 
in November, 1832, the Ordinance of Nullification was 
passed in South Carolina. For several years the most in- 
tense political excitement prevailed throughout the country, 
culminating in this State, and threatening to precipitate 
the dreadful conflict which was destined to come thirty 
years later, and deluge the country in blood. 

In the midst of this political fermentation, the most re- 
markable religious awakening of this century, if not in the 
history of this country, took place. A great tidal wave of 
religious interest swept over the Atlantic States, depositing 
its precious treasures in almost every village and hamlet 
and home in the country. As the political excitement 
before referred to reached its highest point in this State, so 
this religious interest was perhaps more intense and wide- 
spread here than anywhere else. From the mountains to 
the seaboard, the people were thoroughly aroused, and 
gathered in multitudes wherever preaching could be heard. 
In this movement a large number of the strongest and most 
influential Churches in South Carolina had their origin. 

In the summer of 1831 at the house of John S. Carwile, 
then a deacon of Bush River Church ; in a circle of three or 
four friends, reference was made to a great meeting in 
progress at Edgefield Court House under the direction and 
preaching of some young men, students of the Furman 
Theological Institution, (then located at High Hills of 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 99 

Santee, S. C), and a desire being expressed that such a 
meetin-^ might be held here, Mr. Carwile at once agreed to 
tal^e the matter in hand, and after correspondence with the 
young ministers at Edgefield secured their promise to come 
to Newberry. 

Sometime during the month of September, 1831, f'^ur 
young ministers, Nicholas W. Hodges, James M. Chiles, 
Josiah Furman, and John M. Barnes, came to Newberry 
and began preaching at a stand, such as is now, sometimes 
used for political speakers, in a large grove some distance in 
the rear of where the residence of A. M. Bowers now 
stands. 

The novelty of the proceeding, and the fame of similar 
meetings elsewhere, soon attracted a crowd which contin- 
ued to grow until people from all parts of Newberry and 
neighboring Districts, came in great numbers to hear the 
Word. Every class of people was reached, from ihe humble 
and obscure, including the lowly slave, to the most intel- 
lectual, honored and refined. A remarkable feature of the 
meeting was the absence of violent" exhibitions of excite- 
ment. A profound stillness fell upon the people when they 
assembled, and they listened with solemn and eager atten- 
tion to the preaching. 

It was not long before visible results followed. The neigh- 
boring churches of all evangelical denominations received 
of the fruits of the meeting in increased numbers and 
quickened spiritual life. 

As one of the results, the Newberry Baptist Church was 
organized on the oOth day of September, 1831, with forty- 
four members. Two of this number— John S. Carwile and 
James Divver— presented letters of dismissal from the 
Church at Bush River. The remaining forty-two were prin 
cipally, if not altogether, persons who had been baptized 



100 Reminiscences of Newhemj. 

during the progress of the meeting. It is worthy of note 
that of those who united in the organization of the church, 
nine were negro slaves and two free persons of color. 

The Council which constituted the church was composed 
of the following ministers : Nicholas W. Hodges, Jonathan 
Davis, S— Worthington and Daniel Mangum. The exer- 
cises consisted of a prayer by Mr. Mangum, the adoption of 
a Constitution and Declaration of Principles by the Church, 
an address by Mr Davis on Church Organization and 
Church Government, and the reading of a part of the third 
chapter of First Timothy, with remarks on the qualifica- 
tions of Deacons by Mr, Hodges. 

The Church then proceeded to elect John S. Carwile Dea- 
con and Rev. John M. Barnes Pastor, and the Council at 
once ordained them. On the 5th of November following, 
Y. J. Harrington and Thomas Pratt were elected Deacons. 

The following is a copy of the Constitution and Declara- 
tion of Principles adopted by the Church : 

"1. We agree to me«t statedly from time to time, for the 
maintenance of discipline, religious exercises and mutual 
edification. 

" 2. When assembled for Church business, due and proper 
. order and decorum shall be observed. All the male mem- 
bers shall be allowed to speak — one, however, at a time — 
and express their sentiments on all matters that may come 
before the Church. A decision shall be finally made by sub- 
mitting the question to vote, and when unanimity cannot 
be obtained it shall be the duty of the minority to submit. 
The majority, however, shall feel themselves bound to exer- 
cise towards the minority, in all cases where their con- 
sciences would be aggrieved, all Christian forbearance and 
meekness. 

"3. We agree to take the Scriptures of the Old and New 



Reminiscences of Neicherry. 101 

Testaments as our only guide, and rule of faith and prac- 
tice, and from them deduce the following principles of be- 
lief, viz. : 

"1st. We believe in one Eternal God, Father Son and 
Holy Spirit, and each of these Three, exercising distinct 
offices in the great worlv of man's redemption ; it being the 
province of the Father to forgive sins, of the Son to atone 
for sin and intercede with the Father, of the Holy Spirit to 
apply this atonement to the heart of the sinner so as to re- 
generate and sanctify him. 

" 2d. We believe in a future judgment, the resurrection of 
the bodies, both of the righteous and wicked, and eternal 
rewards and punisliments. 

" 3rd. We believe there are two ordinances in the Church 
of Christ designed for perpetual observance, viz. : Immer- 
sion and the Lord's Supper, and that believers are the only 
fit subjects. 

4th. "As a Church, we believe that we are an independent 
body, and acknowledge no head but Christ, no rule of dis- 
cipline but His Word. We feel bound, however, to pay all 
due respect to the advice and opinions of Associations, and 
niore particularly to obey those who may have the rule over 
us, who may have spoken unto us the Word of God, con- 
sidering the end of their conversation : Jesus Christ, the 
same yesterday, to-day and forever." 

The following is a list of the names of the persons who 
united in the organization of the Church : Y. J. Harring- 
ton, Nancy Harrington, William Wilson, Eliza Stew- 
art, M. T. Mendenhall, Phoebe Mendenhall, John S. 
Carwile, Mary Carwile, Elvira Henderson, James Div- 
ver, Sophia Divver, Thomas T. Sheppard, Temperance 
Sheppaid, Mary Shell, Charles G. Gary, Caroline Gary, 
John Tillery, William Bridges, Nancy Bridges, James 



102 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

H. Wilson, Elizabeth Johns, Esther Moore, Mary MeCon- 
nell, Euclidus Longshore, Lura Burton, Lucinda Glenn, 
John Moore, Reuben Pitts, John S. Clark, Wni. Croker, 
Mary Croker, Mary Coate, John Ramage, Lucinda, (slave 
of Wm. Calmes,) Amy, (slave of Judge O'Xeall,) Lucy, 
(slave of Major F. Nance,) Lucy, (slave of Rev. S, P. Pressly,) 
Peggy, (slave of Y. J. Harrington,) Sarah, (slave of Chan- 
cellor Johnstone,) Sam and Jerrj', (slaves of John Caldwell, 
Esq.,) Andrew, (slave of Jacob H. Hunt,) Sally Jackson 
and Hannah, (free persons of color.) 

Among those who united with the Church shortly after 
its organization are the following, whose names will be 
familiar to many of the present citizens of Newberry : Mrs. 
Elizabeth Wilson, (the wife of James H. Wilson,) Mrs. Lucy 
Ramage, Jacob H. Hunt, Mrs. Hannah G. Hunt, Mary Har- 
rington, Wm. H. Harrington, John C. Harrington Thomas 
Pratt, Mrs. Dorothy B. Pratt, Mrs. Catherine Hoi man. (the 
wife of John Holman,) Robert Maxwell, Benjamin Lake, 
Mrs Anna Lake, Francis B Higgns, Mrs. Elizabeth A. 
Higgins, Drayton Nance, Mrs. Lucy W. Nance, Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Carwile, Sarah C. Carwile, Caroline Farnandis Sarah 
Farnandis, Isabella Moore, Robert R. Nance, John Belton 
O'Neall, Mrs. Helen O'Neall, Sarah O'Neall. Rebecca 
O'Neall, Mrs Nancy Caldwell, (the wife of Chancellor Cald- 
well,) Mrs. Teresa Gillam, (the wife of Wm. Gillam,) Polly 
Goulding, Dorothy Coate, Susan Pope, Wm. P. Butler, 
Bathsheba Pope, Mrs. Abigail Caldwell, (the wife of John 
Caldwell, Esq.) 

The church edifice was erected in 1832. The lot of land 
upon which the Church and the parsonage stand was the 
joint gift of Y. J. Harrington and John T. Young. The bell, 
(which is still in use,) was presented by the Hon. Kerr 
Boyce, of Charleston, S. C. The church edifice when first 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 103 

erected, did not have an open porch in front, as at present 
Yon entered at once from the ontside into the audience 
room, which was furnished with benches, with backs con- 
sisting of two narrow boards far apart The old pulpit was 
a square-paneled structure, elevated about five feet from the 
floor, resting on small pillars, with a semi-circular projec- 
tion, midway in front, in which the preacher stood. It had 
doors on each side with flights of steps leading up to them. 
When the preacher entered it an.l took his seat after closing 
the door behind him, he disappeared from view like a 
"Jack in a box.'' Just above the preacher's desk a remark- 
able contrivance called a sound-board was suspended from 
the ceiling by an iron rod. The architect must have mod- 
eled it after the pyramids of Egypt. This wonderful piece 
of architecture was intended to arrest the sound of the 
preacher's voice in its upward ascent and propel it forward. 
When a little boy, and sitting in the church, I would some- 
times tremble as I contemplated the possibility of its falling 
on 'he preacher's head. The interior of the church, except 
the pulpit, was unpainted. At night it was lighted by 
candles, in tin sconces, hung upon nails driven into the 
walls and into the columns supporting the gallery, and 
two candles in tall brass candlesticks on the pulpit. Now 
and then as the light of the candles grew dim, the sexton, 
with a pair of snuflTers in his hand, would go around and 
take careful sight on each candle, and then suddenly snuflf 
it, parting the wick afterwards with the pointed end of the 
snuffers, to increase the light. The preacher was furnished 
with an extra pair of snuffers, which he could use " c(d /ib- 

For several years after the erection of the church ediflce 
no provision was made for heating it ; and the doors— even 
in winter — w^ere seldom, if ever, closed during service. I 



104 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

suppose the good people of that time thought that it would 
be unfortunate to have the doors of the church closed in the 
face of any unregenerate wayfarer who might chance to 
come along and would otherwise come in. After a long ser- 
vice on a cold Sunday, the usual winter salutation of the 
inhabitants of St. Petersburg, '^How is your nose" might 
have been appropriatelj^ used by the assembly. Let it not 
be supposed, however, that in the midst of what now ap- 
pears to be circumstances of so much discomfort the people 
w^ere indifferent. On the contrary they listened with rever- 
ence and attention to the message of the Gospel, and did 
not regard the inclemency of the weather so great a hin- 
drance to their attendance at church as people do now. 

The following is a list of the names of all the pastors 
who have served the church from its organization to the 
present time : 

Rev. John M. Barnes, from September to December, 1831 ; 
Rev. N. W. Hodges, 1832-34 and in 1837 and part of 1838 ; 
Rev. Daniel Mangum, assisted by Hew Elbert Lindsey, 
1835-36; Rev. Thomas Frean, 1839-42, (in 1840 Rev. A.J. 
Chaplain was assistant pastor,) Rev. Samuel Gibson, 1843- 
45; Rev. John G. Landrum, 1846-47 ; Rev. M. C. Barnett, 
1848-49; Rev. John J. Brantley, D. D., 1850-6!) ; Rev. J. T. 
Zealy, 1867-68 . Rev. Richard Furman, D. D , 1869 ; Rev. 
John 8tout, 1870-73 ; Rev. F. W. Eason, from July 1874 to 
November, 1877 ; Rev. Luther Broadus from January, 1878 
to October 26th, 1885. Of these only Dr. Brantley, J. T. 
Zealy, John Stout and F. W. Eason are known to be living. 
The present pastor, Rev. C. P. Scott, came to the church in 
January, 1886. 

Rev. John M. Barnes, the first pastor, is described as a 
young man of attractive pulpit gifts, and an impressive 
preacher. Little is known of him after his short pastorate 



Reminiscences of Neu-hcrry. 105 

of the church. It is said that he removed to the West and 
became identified with another denomination. 

Rev. Nicholas W. Hodges, was a native of Abbeville 
County, and at the time he became pastor of the church 
was quite a young man. He had received the best educa- 
tion the times afforded, was a graduate of the Soutli Caro- 
lina College and of the Furmaii Theological Institution 
and was an instructive and effective preacher. He was 
greatly beloved and honored by all who knew him. He 
died at Greenwood, S. C. in 1812, and was buried at Mount 
Moriah Church, in Abbeville County. A monument over 
his grave was erected by the Mount Moriah and Newberry 
Churches. 

In resolutions passed, just after his death by the Board of 
Trustees of Furman University, and adoptecl by the Bap- 
tist State Convention of South Carolina, he is referred to as 
a "conscientious, laborious, self-denying minister of Jesus 
Christ, exemplary for his singular devotedne^s to the 
interests of religion, and crowned by the providence of God 
with an uncommon measure of usefulness, he has gone 
down to the grave amidst the deep regrets of many who 
loved him' for his work's sake." 

Rev. Daniel Mangum, was a tall robust man of great 
physical endurance and a powerful voice, who preached 
with impassioned earnestness and zeal. By industrious 
application he improved a limited education, and becancie a 
successful preacher, sometimes rising to the heights of real 
eloquence. 

His delivery was peculiar, when he became thoroughly 
aroused, he would suddenly fall into a style of speaking 
which somewhat resembled intoning. Perhaps it will be 
better described as a sort of ecclesiastical recitative. (For 
the benefit of my readers who may not understand musical 



106 Reminiscences of Neicherry. 

terms, I will explain that recitative, is defined as " a 
species of singing approaching towards ordinary speaking." 

These outbursts could not fail to astonish persons, not ac- 
custoKied to them. But, to the people of his charges it 
Mould have seemed unnatural if he had left them out of 
his sermons. He was a man of excellent character, and 
great usefulness both as preacher and citizen He died in 
1858, at the age of sixty-five, and was buried in the cemetery 
at Bush River Church, of which church he had been pastor 
for about thirty years. 

Rev. Thomas Frean, was born in Tipperary County, 
Ireland, in 1793. He received a good education in his native 
country. In his youth he came to Charleston, S. C, on a 
visit to some of his relatives. During his sojourn in that 
city, the war between the United States and England, 
known as the "War of 1812," began; and he, with other 
British subjects was sent into the interior of the State to re- 
main during hostilities. The result was that he did not 
return to Ireland. 

In 1814, he was married to Miss Hannah Elmore, of New- 
berry District. After his marriage, he led for some years, a 
roving and rather unprofitable life — residing for a time in 
Charleston, then in Newberry, going from Newberry to 
Spartanburg; where lie remained until (probably) about 
1825, when he came back to Newberry. Shortly after his 
return to Newberry from Spartanbiu'g, he united with the 
Methodist Church, and became a " local preacher.'' 

In 1835, his religious views having undergone a change, 
he united with the Baptist Church, at Newberry, and was 
soon after licensed to preach; and subsequently, (1837), 
ordained to the full work of the ministry. 

Mr. Frean, like many of his countrymen, was full of im- 
pulse and enthusiasm. He had an imaginative turn of 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 107 

mind and a poetic fancy. He made occasional contribu- 
tions of jwetry to tlie newspapers. His sermons evinced 
considerable studj- and culture. Owing to an excitable 
temperament and a very perceptible brogue, his delivery 
wtts rather hurried and at times somewhat indistinct. 

Having resigned his pastorate at Newberry, in 1842, he 
retired from active ministerial work, and removed to 
Columbia, S.C., where he tilled at different times, the ofltices 
of Surveyor General, and Deputy Treasurer of the State. 
He died April 7th, 18G0, and was buried in the " Quaker 
Cemetery" near Langford's Mill in Newberry County. 

Rev. Samuel Gibson was born in England. In 1815, 
having determined to seek his fortune in America, he 
landed, with his family, in Charleston, S. C, friendless and 
almost penniless; his means having been well-nigh ex- 
hausted by the expense of the voyage. 

The day after he landed, being Sunday, he repaired to a 
Baptist Church in the City. When the minister had read a 
hymn the leader of the nmsic failed to pitch the tune, 
though he made several attempts. The minister also, it 
seems, was unable to sing the hymn, and things weie get- 
ting in an embarrassing condition, when Gibson pitched 
the tune and, with the aid of his wife and sister-in law, 
sang the hymn through without the help of another 
voice. 

This circumstance introduced him at once to the notice 
of his brethren, who learning that he was a blacksmith, 
employed him to make some repairs about the church bell, 
for which they paid him ten dollars, though he insisted on 
not taking more than two. After a short stay in Charleston 
he determined to seek a home in the up-country, and set- 
tled in a rather wild, thinly populated region in Greenville 
County, where the Gospel had seldom been heard. The 



108 Reminiscences of Neicbernj. 

Sabbath was generally disregarded, and the vices incident 
to society in a rude state went unrebuked. 

This condition of things first made a deep impression on 
his wife, " The harvest," she said, "is ready and tbere is 
no one to reap it," and Gibson began to preach, movpd, as 
he always declared, by her entreaties. 

Through the influence of his wife he applied himself as- 
siduously to study, and, having been endowed by nature 
with a strong intellect, he became one of the most effective 
and powerful preachers of his day. 

The following extract is from Griffith's Life of John G. 
Lcmdrum, a book which I have freely used, in the prepara- 
ration of this and some other sketches: " Well does the 
author remember, when a little boy, to have gazed with 
childish wonder, mingled with awe, upon a little red-faced 
old man, with white hair, scrupulously neat in his dress and 
peculiarly solemn in his appearance, seated in a sulky and 
driving a snow-white horse rapidly toward a neighboring 
church ; and well does he remember how that wonder in- 
creased and that awe deepened, when he noted the death- 
like stillness that reigned in the congregation as he as- 
cended the pulp't, and saw the trembling of strong men 
and gay women under the power of his soul-stirring 
words." 

The foregoing pen-picture of Mr. Gibson— even to the 
sulky and horse — is a very life-like and familiar one to the 
present writer, who still remembers with gratitude and 
pleasure his earnest preaching and his entertaining and in- 
structive conversation, in the family circle, especially when 
he told the story of his early struggles, both in England 
and in this country. 

During his three years service in Newberry, Mr. Gibson, 
only visited the Church once a month, riding from his 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 109 

home in Greenville County — a distance of more than sixty 
miles — to meet his appointments. He died several years 
ago, at an advanced age, and was buried at Milford Baptist 
Church, (Greenville County,) within a few feet of the pulpit 
which he had so often occupied. 

Rev. John G. Landrum, like hi-; predecessor, (Mr. Gibson,) 
rode once a month from his home in Spartanburg County 
to fill hic5 appointments for preaching. He, as well as Mr. 
Gibson, preached both on Saturday and Sunday during eacli 
visit. 

Mr. Landrum was born in Tennessee on the 22d of Octo- 
ber, 1810. With a view to the improvement of his health, 
he came in 1828 to Union County, S. C, intending to re- 
main one year. He did not return to Tennessee, and his 
intended visit of one year, was converted into a residence 
of more than half a century in South Carolina. 

He was licensed to preach in 1829, and ordained to the full 
work of the ministry in 1831. 

His earliest ministerial work was probably done in Union 
County, but his life work may be said to have done in Spar- 
tanburg County. 

He was the first pastor of the Baptist Church in the vil- 
lage (now city) of Spartanburg, and was the pastor of Mount 
Zion, and probably one other Church in Spartanburg 
County, for fifty years. 

He was married in 1836 to Miss Elizabeth Montgomery 
of Spartanburg, who died in 1857. He was again married 
in 1859 to Miss Nancy Miller Earle, also of Spartanburg, 
who died in 1863. Mr. Landrum died in 1882. He had 
risen to a high position of honor and usefulness, both as 
minister and citizen. 

" The fact that the announcement of his preaching would 
draw a large congregation anywhere ; the fact that he 



110 Reminiscences of Neirberry. 

preached to large congregations at the same places through 
a long course of years; the fact that, during his ministry 
he baptized five thousand converts, and the further fact 
that his Churches would not have surrendered him as 
leader for any other man, bear witness that your deceased 
pastor was a ' Prince and a great man.' It would have been 
impossible for him to have gained and maintained such a 
hold upon the minds of others in the absence of superior 
intellectual powers. These he manifestly possessed. ■^ * 
* -^ He was a hard student and a great searcher tor 
truth. '^ * * Yet intellect and studiousness are 
not the only elements of a minister's acceptablenes^. Quite 
as important is the loving heart. * * ^ How his 
great heart yearned for the good of others ! Compassion for 
the guilty and the perishing, and tender regard for the 
image of Christ, even when seen amid the evidence of weak- 
ness and error, gave its hue to his ministrations, and this 
serious and earnest tone of his spirit enabled him to steer 
clear of levity and acrimony. * * ^ For myself 
I can say, that not the least charming feature in John G. 
Landrum was his spirit of deep devotion. His prayers were 
in no sort what have been called preaching prayers, and 
yet had he done nothing but pray in public, he would have 
have done more good than many preachers." ^' 

The few remaining members of Mr. Landrum's congrega- 
tion at Newberry still warmly cherish the memory of his 
faithful and affectionate ministrations among them. 

Rev. M. C. Barnett also came from Spartanburg County. 
He was the first pastor for many years, who had no other 
charge, and who preached to this Church every Sunday. 
But as he resided four or five miles from the town, and 
taught school near his residence, he had very little time for 

* From Memorial Discourse, by Rov. J. C. Furman, 1\ D. 



Reminiscences of Nenherry. Ill 

pastoral visiting. His sermons were illustrated and en- 
forced, to a great extent, by appropriate quotations from the 
Scriptures, which his remarkable memory enabled him to 
repeat with minute accuracy. His delivery, though some- 
what hurried, was animated and attractive. 

" He was no revivalist, no exhorter, and hardly ever at- 
tempted to take the lead in a protracted meeting. He 
preached the Gospel truth as he understood it, in the most 
pointed and eloquent language he could command, and 
then took his seat, having said more in thirty minutes than 
most men can say in an liour."* 

He was modest and diffident, and greatly underrated his 
own powers. He was a good preacher, a lover of books, 
and an interesting conversationist. His character was irre- 
proachable and singularly free from angularities. He died 
in Spartanburg County in 1872. 

Rev. Richard Furman, D. D., was born on the 9th of No- 
vember, 1816, at Gillisonville, Beaufort County, S. C. He 
was the son of Kev. Samuel Furman, D. D., and Eliza Ann 
(Scrimzeour) Furman, and the grandson of Rev. Richard 
Furman, D. D., of Charleston, S C, who was distinguished 
for his eloquence and patriotism during the American 
Revolution. 

He received his literary education from his father, and 
studied theology in the Furman Theological Institution, 
then located at High Hills, of Santee, S. C. 

He was married on the 21st of April, 1840, to Miss jNIary 
Marshall Mclver, the daughter of Dr. John K. Mclver, of 
Society Hill, S. C, and died at Fort Worth, Texas, on the 
1st of October, 1886. 

Dr. Furman began to preach before he reached his ma- 
jority. His first pastorate, upon which he entered at the 

* Griffith'.s Life of Landriim. 



112 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

close of 1838 or early in 1839, was at Cheraw, S. C. He was 
afterwards pastor at New Berne, N. C, Society Hill, Green- 
ville, Sumter, Newberry and Ridge Spring, S. C. His pas- 
torate at Newberry was cut short by his shattered health. 
But notwithstanding his short stay, his presence and his 
preaching proved a rica and lasting blessing to the Church 
and the community. 

Rev. W. M. Grier, D D , President of Erskine College, 
Due West, S. C, wrote as follows in the A smclate Reformed 
Presbtjterian^ of which he is editor, shortly after Dr. F.'s 
death: "Although he (Dr. Furman) was practically re- 
lieved from the ministry on account of failing health, for 
twenty years before his death, yet we remember him well 
as a preacher, though we never heard him preach but one 
sermon. 

'In August, 1860, he preached the Baccalaureate Sermon 
before the graduating class of Erskine College. The writer 
was a member of that class. So striking and impressive 
was the discourse, and presented with such unwonted force 
and unctioii, that it burned into our very hearts. To-day 
we can, not only recall the text, but can repeat parts of that 
sermon verbatim. ^ * * *.-5^ * -^ * 

" We are not surprised at the appreciative notices which 
we find in our Baptist exchanges. This man of God, an 
eloquent Apollos, was worthy of them all. We beg the 
privilege of this humble tribute to his memory." 

The following brief but judicious notice of Dr. Furman 
is from the pen of the Rev. John A. Broadus, D D. : 

" Dr. Furman showed how talent and devoted labor can 
achieve marked usefulness, notwithstanding feeble health 
and personal disadvantages. He was a deeply earnest 
Christian, a model of unselfishness and delicate considera- 
tion for others, and supreme desire to do good. When his 



Heminiscences of Newberry. 113 

feeble frame was racked with pain, or perhaps his sensitive 
spirit stung by some unkindness, he could keep it all to 
himself, and liis very suffering would kindle his soul into 
more ardent zeal in preaching the Gospel he loved, and 
trying to honor the Saviour on whom he relied. While 
scarcely remarkable for originality of thought, he made 
the familiar truths of the (rospel attractive by his deep 
personal experience and profound reflection, and by his 
singular clearness and beauty of style. The poetical gifts 
which x^roduced a volume of pleasing verse,* showed 
themselves also in his harmonious prose. Lifelong cultiva- 
tion of style, with refined taste, and then clear thinking, 
and the passionate feeling which instinctively strives after 
harmonious expression, enabled him to produce sentences 
that were quice inelaborate, but thoroughly symmetrical, 
and melodious iu every movement. When he was pastor in 
Greenville, S. C, we used sometimes to notice that his ex- 
temporized addresses might have been printed, paragraph 
after paragraph, without needing the alteration of a word. 
Yet he was in no sense a phrasemonger, nor did he ever 
seem to be thinking about his language — he was thinking 
of the Gospel, the soul, the Saviour." 

*" The Pleasures of Piety, and Oilier Poems," published in 1859. 
Note— A Biographical Sketch of Rev. Luther Broadus, will be 
found in Chapter XVIf. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Methodist episcopal church— organization and his- 
tory — REV. ANGUS M'PHERSON— REV. GEORGE W. 
MOORE — REV. SAMUEL DUNWOODY— REV. CHARLES S. 
WALKER — REV. SAMUEL TOWNSEND— REV. .lOHN R. 
PICKETT— REV. W. A. M'SWAIN— REV. A. W. WALKER — 
REV. CORNELIUS M'LEOD— REV. BOND ENGLISH. 



rpHE Newberry Methodist Episcopal Church was organ- 
X ized soon after the Baptist Church (probably in 1833) The 
Church edifice was erected within a short time after the 
organization. When first built, it was very similar in its 
construction and appointments to the Baptist Church edi- 
fice. The pulpit was not elevated quite so high, and it had 
an altar, surrounded by a balustrade in front of it. 

I regret that I have not been able, after diligent inquiry 
to find the early records of this Church. Nor have I been 
so fortunate as to find any one who can furnish accurate 
information as to the precise date of its organization, or the 
names, in full, of its original members. There seems to be 
no doubt that among those who united in the organization 
were : Philip Schoi:)pert and his wife, Mrs Polly Schoppert, 
Mrs. Schoppert, the mother of Philip Schoppert ; Martha 
Turner, Mrs. Sarah Lorick, (now Mrs. Sarah Pope,) Mrs. 
Precious Shell, (and probably Mrs. Sarah Cheshire,) Josiah 
Bishop and his wife, Thomas Pratt, Jr., and Daniel Boozer. 
Besides these none others can be remembered. It is gene- 
rally understood that there were but few members at first. 



Reminiscence)^ of Neicberry. 115 

but there is abundant evidence of their energy and pious 
devotion, in the fact that they so soon erected a house of 
worship. The membership increased rapidly, and the 
Church soon occupied, and has continued to occupy, a 
prominent place among her sister Churches. 

For more than twenty years after its organization the 
Church was embraced in the Newberry Circuit, and was 
visited semi-monthly by the ministers who rode that Cir- 
cuit. From January, 1854, it was set apart as a " Station," 
and from that time has enjoyed the entire services of its 
different pastors. 

I acknowledge my indebtedness to Dr. Shipp's '^History 
of Methoclism in South Carolina,''^ for most of the material 
used in the following sketches of some of the faithful and 
laborious men who preached to the Church during the first 
twenty years of its existence : 

Rev. Angus McPherson was born in Cumberland County, 
N. C, May 10th, 1802, and entered the ministry in 1826. He 
rode the Newberry Circuit in 1836. His deportment Avas 
serious, his manners modest and retiring. He made it a 
matter of conscience never to disappoint a congregation, 
and his last sermon was preached while in the custody of 
the King of terrors. He was quite useful as a minister, and 
everywhere he labored was much esteemed by the people. 
He died at the liouse of Dr. James Kilgore, near Newberry, 
on the 4th of November, 1836, with the words "sweet 
heaven" on his lips. 

Rev. George W. Moore was born in Charleston, S. C, on 
the 27th of September, 1799. He entered the ministry in 
1825, and preached in Newberry in 1840-41. He was a faith- 
ful, efficient and successful preacher, never shunning to de- 
clare the counsel of God, nor to assert his uncompromising 
opposition to sin in whatever form developed, or in what- 



116 Reminiscences of Newberry, 

ever circle practiced. He was one of the first to enter the 
mission field among the colored people, and his last days 
were spent in special attention to that class at Spartanburg- 
The reward of faithfully preaching the Gospel to the poor 
is his. I cannot ascertain the day of his death, which took 
place some time after 1863, at a camp-ground in Anderson 
County. He died in the pulpit, at the close of his first 
prayer, 'n the afternoon service, on Sunday, with the Bible 
and Hymn-Book for his pillow. His last words were words 
of prayer, nis last act an act of worship. 

Bev. Samuel Dunwoody was born in Chester County, 
Pennsylvania, on the 3d of August, 1780. He entered the 
ministry in 1806, and preached at ISIewberry in 1844-45. He 
was placed upon the superannuated list in 1846, after a term 
of nearly forty years' service as a minister of the gospel. 

As a preacher he was original, both as to matter and 
naanner, and his sermons were masterpieces of their kind ; 
as a student he was eminently a man of one book— the 
Bible ; as a Christian his life and example were irreproach- 
able. He died July the 8th, 1854. He was a man of very 
peculiar and eccentric manners and habits. He would often 
appear to be unconscious of everything going on around 
him, so absorbed was he in his own thoughts. 

One Sunday afternoon he came riding on horseback 
along the street which passed by my father's house. My 
father and myself were sitting facing each other, each with 
an arm resting on the front balustrade of the piazza which 
stood immediately on the street. A shower of rain had re- 
cently fallen and a considerable pool of water had collected 
near the entrance of the piazza. Mr. Dunwoody had his 
eyes cast down upon the pommel of the saddle, and held the 
reins loosely in his hands. His horse, which must have 
been quite thirsty, came to the pool of water and began to 



Reminiscences of Neivberry. 117 

drink from it. While the horse was drinking I could 
without rising from my seat, have caught Mr D by the 
arm or lifted his hat from his head with my hand, yet he 
evidently did not see me, or my father, or the house. 

One Sabbath evening after he had preached his sermon in 
the Church at Newberry, he began to read one of Charles 
Wesley's hymns, of which the following is the concluding 
stanza : 

Come back ! this is the way ! 

Come bacli ! and wall? herein ! 
O ma.y I hearl^en and obey, 

And shun tlie paths of sin! 

After reading the first stanza of the hymn his voice de- 
scended into a low monotone which was not varied, until 
he reached the last stanza, where he paused, and appeared 
for a few moments to be lost in thought. Just at this time a 
gentleman in the congregation arose from his seat to leave 
the Church, and had proceeded a short distance towards the 
door, when Mr. Dunwoody suddenly looked up, and ex- 
claimed : " Come back !" and then paused again. The gen- 
tleman supposing that Mr. D. had addressed him turned 
round and in great astonishment waited to hear what 
was to come next. Presently Mr. D., in a low, quiet tone 
continued the reading of the stanza : '' this is the way ! 
comeback ! and walk herein, &c ;" whereupon the gentle- 
man walked out. 

An almost endless number of stories have been told about 
the odd things he did and said. Many of these stories origi- 
nated before he was born, and many more doubtless have 
very little foundation in fact. It is the common lot, how 
ever, of all eccentric people to have naany things charged 
against them of which they are innocent. 

Rev. Charles S. Walker was born in Charleston, S. C, on 



118 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

the 22d of January, 1815, eatered the ministry in 1834, and 
rode the Newberry Circuit in 1853. He was a man of stern 
integrity, sound judgment and high moral courage, and to 
these qualities may be added great simplicity and purity of 
character. He died at Spartanburg, S. C, on the 18th of 
January, 1857 

Rev. Samuel Townsend was born in Marlboro district, S. 
C, on the 29th of October, 1814, entered the ministry in 1836 
and rode the Newberry Circuit in 1854 He was an earnest, 
sound and practical preacher. In his regular itinerant work 
he acquired a ruling desire for the circulation of books, and 
while acting as agent for the Tract Society, he laid the 
foundation of what afterwards became an extensive book 
store in Columbia, S C He was on his way from the 
North, where he had been on business, when he was ar- 
rested by disease, and died in Philadelphia July 31st, i8G5. 

The following is believed to be (nearly, if not altogether), 
a complete list of the names of the ministers — though not 
in regular order of succession — who have served the 
Church since 1854 : John R. Pickett, W. A. McSwain, A. AV. 
Walker, Cornelius McLeod, Marcus McKibben, Bond Eng- 
lish, Emory Watson, Thos. J. Clyde, Jno, W. Humbeit, 
Samuel W. Black, O A. Darby, Jno. A. Mood, R. P. Franks, 
Manning Brown, C. H. Pritchard, A. M. Chreitzberg, Jno. 
B. Campbell, R. D. Smart. A J. Clifton, H. F. Chreitzberg, 
J. L. Stokes, and at this time (188;)) W. S. Wightman. Of 
these, John R. Pickett, W. A. McSwain, Cornelius McLeod, 
A W. Walker, and Bond English, are dead. 

En giving some account of these deceased pastors, I am 
again indebted to Dr. Shipp's History, for valuable infor- 
mation concerning them. 

Rev. Jno. R. Picket was born in Fairfield District. S. C, 
on the 2d of April, 1S14. He entered the ministry- in 1835 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 119 

and was pastor of Newberry in 1854. He had quick percep- 
tive and analytic powers of mind, was not wanting in im- 
agination, and aspired af(er a Ijighi degree of scliolarsliip. 
Tn tlie early part of his ministry he carried about with him 
a huge Polyglot Bible, in a tin case, and made it his daily 
companion. He was a great reader, especially of periodical 
literature, and " knew something about everything, and a 
great deal about some things." His manner in the pulpit 
was self-possessed and deliberate, but as he proceeded in his 
sermon he generally warmed with his subject, and his 
voice assumed a depth and fullness of volume which was 
wonderful. He was one of the sweetest singers of his day, 
and often used this talent most efficiently iti his ministry. 
Following a custom which for a long time prevailed among 
Methodist ministers, he would frequently introduce the ser- 
vices by singing a solo. He had the simplicitj^ of a child, 
and was remarkable for a large-hearted charity. He died in 
1870. 

Rev. William A. McSwain was born in Montgomery (now 
Stanley) County, N. C ., November the 5th, 1814. He was 
licensed to preach May 21st, 183(5, and was pastor in Newber- 
ry in 1855-50. He was a man of studious habits, a diligent 
reader, and a pious, eloquent and able minister. He was 
respected and beloved by all denominations of Christians 
and all classes of people. He was amiable and pleasant in 
disposition, and polite and courteous in manner He died 
in Laurens, S. C, probably in 1806, from injuries received 
by leaping from his buggy to escape from a frightened and 
unruly horse. 

Rev. Alexander W.Walker was born in Charleston, S. C, on 
the 22d of January, 1815, and was admitted with his twin- 
brother, Charles S., into the South Carolina Conference in 
February, 1834, and appointed to Laurensville Circuit, He 



120 Heminiscences of Newberry. 

was pastor at Newberry in 1857, and died in 1870. He was 
distinguislied for the purity, truthfulness and sincerity of 
his character, and for tlie kindness and generosity of his 
heart. He was modest in the expression of his opinions, 
but was courageous in the support of his convictions of 
duty. Of an affectionate and loving disposition, be won 
the hearts of all Avho knew him, and dying left behind him 
a name which " is as ointment poured forth." 

Rev. Cornelius McLeod, was a native of N'orth Carolina, 
and entered the South Carolina Conference in 1837. He 
spent the year 1858, at Newberr3^ In 1806, he was placed 
upon the superannuated list, and died probably in that year, 
in Richland County, S. C. 

He was a diligent student, and without the assistance of 
an instructor, learned several of the ancient and modern 
languages. Devoted to books and having a retentive 
memory he acquired a large fund of knowledge. He was a 
successful preacher, and being remarkably amiable in dis- 
position, won without effort the affections of those with 
whom he associated. 

Rev. Bond English, was born in Kershaw District, S. C, 
January 31, 1797. He was for forty-six years an earnest, 
successful and honored minister of the Gospel. His talents 
commanded for him the highest regard of his brethren, 
who intrusted him with many positions of responsibility. 
He was pastor at Newberry during the troublous period of 
the recent war, (probably in 1863-64). He was an ardent 
patriot, and believed firmly in the justice of the cause of the 
Southern Confederacy. The simplicity and directness of 
some expressions he used in his pra^-ers, such as : "That 
our enemies might be taught to let us alone and go about 
their own business," will be remembered by many who 



( 



Reminiscences of Nenherry. 121 

attended the Wednesday afternoon union prayer-meeting 
ot all denominations held in Newberry during those stormy 
days. He died at his residence near Sumter, S. C, March 
the 4th, 1868. 



CHAPTER IX. 



AVELEICiH (PRESIIYTERIAN) CHURCfl - INTERESTING LET- 
TER OF CHANCELLOR JOHNSTONE'S— ORGANIZATION 
AND HISTORY OF THE CHURCH— REV. R. C. KETCHUM 
— REV. JOHN M'KITTRICK — REV. E. V. HYDE — REV. 
A. D. MONTGOMERY— REV. E. H. BUIST. 



FOR many years I supposed that the Baptist, was the 
tirst Church organized in the town of Newberry. I 
find, however, from a letter written by Chancellor Job 
Johnstone, and published in " Ilowt^s IlMori/ of the 
Presbyterian Church in South Carolina^^'' that he (the 
Chancellor) speaks of a Presbyterian Church organization 
which existed in Newberry previous to that of the Baptist 
Church ; but which had -as he expresses it, probably fallen 
through. 

The following extract from the Chancellor's letter gives, 
not only an account of the Presbyterian Church organiza- 
tion just referred to, but also an account of the first move- 
ments toward the organization of Aveleigh Church. 

" My former wife informed me that there was formerly, 
as far bacli perhaps as 1822, a Presbyterian Church organized 
in this village. I remember there was a meeting of Pres- 
bytery held at that time in the old Male Academy then 
taught by the Rev. Joseph Y. Alexander, and that he re- 
ceived ordination at its hands. And I find hy a memorial 
in my family Bible that he baptized my son, Silas, at my 
wife's request, on the 18th of June, 1822, at my house, being 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 123 

tiie first baptism by that minister. Yet so stupid was I 
that I never for a moment suspected, until years afterwards 
that there had been a Presbyterian organization at New- 
berry. 

"Mrs. Johnstone when she gave me the information stated 
that her sister, Mrs. Harrington, and her sister-in-law, Mrs. 
Dr Johnston, had all been members, and that Mr. Thomas 
Boyd, of Bush River, had been an elder. All that T had 
noticed was that there was regular preaching in the Court- 
house, and that there was less of shooting and kite flying in 
the streets on Sabbath than formerly. 

"On the removal of that excellent man^ Mr. Alexander, 
to Georgia, I suppose the Church fell through ; for on the 
15th of July, 1832 I find that my wife had three of our chil- 
dren baptized at Head Spring (Seceder) Church, by the late 
Samuel P. Pressley, subsequently a Professor in Athens 
College, Georgia, but at that time pastor of Cannon Creek, 
Prosperity, Indian Creek and Head Spring Churches. By 
the three children being baptized at the same time, I sup- 
pose that was the day, she herself joined Mr. Pressley's 
Church. In 1833 or '31, Mr. Pressley went to Georgia, by 
which his Churches were for a time left vacant. He was a 
very liberal man, and under his administration his churches 
relaxed the rigor of close Communion. All the Presbyte- 
rians in the neighborhood united with him, and in the 
course of the few years he was minister here, his Churches 
had more than doubled the number of their communicants. 
On the 14th of September, 1834, 1 united with the Church at 
Cannon Creek, at a Communion administered by the Rev. 
Mr. Boyce of Fairfield, acting as temporary supply. I 
stated at the time, that on the first convenient opportunity 
I should unite with the Presbyterian Church and that I 
should exercise the privilege of ojDen Communion. 



124 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

" On the 30th of November, 1834, Mr. Pressley, in a farewell 
visit to his Churches, administered the sacrament of the 
Lord's Supper at Head Spring I remember there was an 
eclipse of the sun during the Communion. Mr. P. spent a 
night at my house during the meeting. He was then about 
to transfer his connexion to the Presbyterian Church, and 
we had a consultation about the prospects of a Presbyterian 
Church here. On Monday after the Communion at Head 
Spring, being December the 1st, 1834, and sale day, I drew a 
subscription paper for the building of the Church subse- 
quently called 'Aveleigh.' The necessary amount was soon 
subscribed. Mr. Robert Boyce conveyed five acres of land 
as a lot for the Church to be built on, at Hunt's Cross Eoads, 
one mile and a half from the village of Newberry." 

Aveleigh Church was organized May the ;^Oth, 1835, with 
thirty-one members, by the Rev. Moses Waddell, D. D., and 
Rev. Samuel B. Lewers. The Church edifice was completed 
very soon afterwards. 

The following is a copy of the congregational covenant 
entered into by the Church on the day it was organized, 
and the names of thirty-one persons who sighed the same : 

''Believing th itthe true God is justly entitled to the rev- 
erential and social worship of all intelligent creatures, and 
that their social homage is conducive in the highest degree 
both to the present comfort and future hai3piness of man- 
kind, we, the undersigned, inhabitants of Newberry Dis- 
trict, S. C, residing near the Court House, have felt a strong 
desire to associate and unite ourselves together in the ca- 
pacity and relation of a religious society for the purpose of 
improving ourselves in the knowledge and practice of our 
duty to God and man, and of exciting ourselves to love and 
to good works, and believing that the doctrine and discipline 
approved and adopted by the General Assembly of the Pres- 



Heminiscences of Neirberry. 125 

byterian Church in the United States of America, as set 
forth in their Confession of Faith, conforms most nearly to 
the system of faith and order taught in the Gospel, we profess 
our desire and design to unite with and place ourselves un- 
der the pastoral care and direction of that ecclesiastical 
body, so long as they adhere to that Confession. In testi- 
mony of which we have voluntarily attached our names to 
the above, this 30th day of May, 1835. 

(Signed) "John Garmany, Jr., David Griffith, Andrew 
Spence, Sen., Joseph Y. Hunter, David Clary, Matilda W. 
Saxon, Eliza M. Johnston, Sarah Boozer, Margarett Piester, 
Sarah B. Caldwell, Mary Welch, Rachel Keller, Sarah Glas- 
gow, Sarah K. Foote, Elizabeth Clary, Mary Garmany, 
Maria Garmany, Isabella Foote, Elizabeth Gillam, Catha- 
rine Johnston, Isabella H. Chambers, Sarah Bel ton, Mary 
Marrs, Barbara Boozer, Williams Welch, Isaac Keller, Mary 
Griffith, Job Johnston, Alexander Chambers, Thomas J. 
Brown, Mary Sligh." 

The Church received into its membership on the day it was 
organized " John Garmany, Sen., and on the next day John 
Senn, Sen., Mary Senn, and Harriet Coppeck on examina- 
tion." 

Isaac Keller and Alexander Chambers were elected 
Ruling Elders on the day the Church was organized, and or- 
dained on the day following. Chancellor Job Johnstone 
and Dr. Geo. W. Glenn were ordained Elders on the second 
Sabbath in March, 1889. 

I quote again from Dr. Howe's history : " At length it be- 
came apparent, says Chancellor Johnstone, that one grand 
obstacle that . stood in the way of the prosperity of this 
Church, was its location. Being situated a mile-and-a-half 
from town, it was but seldom that any of the town people 
found it convenient to attend ; and yet, inasmuch as it was 



126 Reminiscences of Neivherry. 

located there with a view to secure their attendance, the 
country people regarded it as a town Church, and therefore, 
did not care to attend it. This is not the only instance in 
which a Church has been located with the hope of securing 
the attendance of both the town and the country people, 
and the result has been that it failed to secure the attend- 
ance of either. It was determined, therefore, that an effort 
should be made to secure, by subscription, an amount suffi- 
cient to erect a new Church edifice in the town of Newberry. 

"That object was at lengtli attained. Tlie old house and 
the lot were sold ; and a new house, small but neat and 
commodious, was erected on a lot generously given for that 
purpose, by Mr. E. Y. McMorries, in the town of Newberry. 
The new Church edifice was dedicated to the worship of 
God on the 17th day of December, in the year 1852. The 
Church still retained the naine of Aveleigh. After its 
removal, some of the country members found it more con- 
venient to attend worship at Gilder's Creek, and Mt. Bethel 
Churches. The Church then numbered only about twenty 
members, 

"Signs of greater prosperity were soon apparent. '^ * * 
* * * At almost every Communion meeting there were 
additions, more or less, to the Church." 

During the year 1835, services were held occasionally by 
Dr. WaddelJ, Mr. Lowers, and Rev. E. Holt, Agent Board 
of Foreign Missions, Rev. Joseph Johnson supplied the 
Church, once a month, during part of the year 1836. In the 
latter part of that year and during 1837, Rev. Isaac VVaddell, 
James Lewers and Richard C. Ketchum occasionally 
preached to the congregation. 

On Saturday, before the 4th Sabbath in January, 1838, 
Rev. R. C. Ketchum was installed pastor. Mr. Ketchum 
resigned in the latter part of 1839. 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 127 

The following is a list of the names of ministers who have 
officiated as pastors, (with the date of the installation of 
each,) since the resignation of Mr. Ketchum : Rev, John 
McKitterick, August 29th, 1840 ; Rev. E. F Hyde, October 
26th, 1845 ; Rev, W, B. Telfourd, June 8th, 1850 ; Rev A. D. 
Montgomery, June 29th, 1856 ; Rev. E. H. Buist, June 6th, 
1862 ; Rev. R. A. Mickle, November 30th, 1866 ; Rev. R. A 
Fair, October, 1874. Of these, only Rev. W. B, Telfourd, 
Rev. R. A. Mickle and Rev. R. A. Fair are now living. 

The preseht pastor, Rev. J. S. Cozby, took charge of the 
Church in 1886. 

The Rev. R C. Ketchum, was born in Augusta, Ga., in 
1823, and died in the 63d year of his age, " Having gradua- 
ted in the University of Georgia in 1833, he entered the 
Theological Seminary, in Columbia, S. C, in the same year, 
and finished his course there in 1836 His ministerial life 
was spent in Newberry and Hamburg, S, C , and Atlanta, 
Ga, His naturally good mind had received careful and con- 
tinued culture 'till he had attained an accuracy of scholar- 
ship that but few reach. Added to his fondness for, and 
proficiency in the natural sciences, he had so mastered the 
Greek language as to read it with almost the familiarity of 
his native tongue. But excellent as were his intellectual 
attainments, they were excelled by the goodness of his 
heart, * * * * ^^ ^ * Perhaps the most marked 
and admirable trait of his character was his unaffected 
humility 

''He was prompt and punctual in the discharge of all his 
ministerial duties, however onerous they may have been 
As a preacher he was sound in doctrine, judicious in the 
interpretation of the Word, clear and instructive in his pre- 
sentation of the truth. He lived a life of calm abiding trust 



128 Reininiscences of Newberry. 

in God ; and his deatti was in perfect harmony with his 
life."* 

As my father's family was connected with another 
Christian denomination, I did not often hear Mr Ketchum 
preach, but I retain most pleasant recollections of the man. 
His manners and social qualities were very attractive. 
He was very much interested in young people, and entered 
heartilj^ with them into all their innocent and rational 
amusements and recreations. He was brim-full of animation 
and good nature, and carried sunshine with him wherever 
he went. And while some staid and undemonstrative' 
people would sometimes give their heads an ominous shake 
when they saw him in his more gleeful moods, the truth 
was that he never sacrificed the dignity of his character as 
a minister of the Gospel. He never failed to reprove any 
young man who might swear an oath or be guilty' of any 
other misconduct in his presence ; and this he did in such 
a judicious, gentle and kindly manner as to secure the re- 
spect of the person reproved. 

T should here present some notice of Rev. John McKit- 
terick, but regret that I am unable to do so. My personal 
knowledge of him was quite limited, and I have failed, 
after diligent inquiry, to procure any records of his life. 

" Rev. Ezekiel Foster Hyde was born near Sincoe, Pro- 

v^ince of Ontario, Dominion of Canada, on the 1st day of 

May, 181 i. His father, Sherman Hyde, was born in the 

State of Connecticut, a descendant of an English family 

that settled in Connecticut in Colonial times. * * * ^- 

E F. Hyde, who was the third son, went to the State of 

New York in the fall of 1832, and continued to reside there 

until 1841, when he came to South Carolina. During his 

* Memorial Volume of the Semi-Centennial of the Theological 
Seminary, at Columbia, S. C, 18S4. 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 129 

residence in the State of New York he became a member of 
the Presbyterian Church : his religious training had been 
in the Church of England, or the Episcopal Church of 
Canada. When about twenty-one years of age, he became 
impressed with a sense of duty to prepare for entrance upon 
the work of preaching the Gospel. 

" His education had only been that of the primary schools 
of Canada. He prosecuted the studies preparatory to ad- 
mission into College, under the training of one Capt. Rich- 
ard Ashley, who was a graduate of the West Point Military 
Academy. He graduated at Union College in the class of 
1841. In October, 1841, he entered the Theological Semi- 
nary at Columbia, S, C, and completed the course of studies 
in that institution in the class of 1844. He was licensed to 
preach the Gospel by the Charleston Presbytery at the 
Spring session of 1844 at C^olumbia S. C. In the fall of 1844 
he was called to be pastor of Aveleigh, Smyrna and Gilder's 
Creek Churches, in Newberry County. His connection as 
licentiate having been transferred to the South Carolina 
Presbytery, he was ordained at the Spring (1845) session of 
the Presbytery at Gilder's Creek Church, ^ sine tiiulo,^ and 
was installed pastor of the above Churches by action of 
Presbytery, Fall session of 1845."^ 

Mr. Hyde remained in Newberry about four years, and 
went from Newberry to Laurens County. In 1852 he re- 
moved to Mississippi where he remained four years and 
then returned to South Carolina. He died on the 22d of 
October, 1884. He was married in 1845 to Miss C. A. Ham- 
mond (a sister of Governor Hammond of S.C.) who died about 
three years afterwards. In 1850 he was married to Miss N. 

^Unfinished Autobiographical Sketch found among Mr. Hyde's 

papers after his deatli. 
9 



130 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

A. Hunter of Laurens, who survives him. " For more than 
fifty years he was a professor of the religion of Jesus Christ, 
and for more than forty years a preacher of the Gospel, and 
yet never was there a blight on his Christian character. He 
was modest, gentle and unassuming in society and among 
his brethren. He was an earnest and instructive preacher, 
and in conversation was especially entertaining. His faith 
was strong and his end was peace." * 

When Mr. Hyde came to Newberry, I was a young man 
just entering upon the battle of life. I early made his ac- 
quaintance and found in him a warm, sympathizing friend. 
I met him at Newberry only a few months before his death. 
It had been many years since I had seen him before. Not- 
withstanding the enfeebled state of his health, which could 
be plainly discerned by his wasted figure, he uttered no com- 
plaint, and exhibited only his old time cheerfulness and 
cordiality. 

Rev. Archibald D. Montgomery, was born in Caswell 
County, N. C, on the 22d of May 1791, and died at Lexing- 
ton, N. C, on the 21st of April, 1870. 

He was the son of James and Rebecca Montgomery. His 
mother whose maiden name was Rebecca Davis, was a Vir- 
ginia lady of unusual personal attractions and mental gifts. 
His father who was a farmer, was a useful citizen, and an 
exemplary Christian. 

Mr. Montgomery entered the ministry in 1820. He was 
married on the 11th of December, 1822, to Miss Eliza Lewis, 
(eldest daughter of John and Lucy (Macklin) Lewis of Meck- 
lenburg, Va.,) who was eminently qualified by her intelli- 
gence, energy, piety and amiable disposition for a ministers' 
wife. 

* Minutes South Carolina Presbytery, 188o. 



Reminiscences of Newherry. 131 

His ministerial life was spent chiefly in Nortli Carolina, 
until 1852, when he removed to Abbeville, S. C, and became 
the pastor of the Long Cane Church near that town. After 
remaining there four years, he received a call from Aveleigh 
Church, Newberry, and was installed as its pastor on the 
29th of January, 1856. He continued in this office until 
September, 1861. After resigning his charge at Newberry, 
he preached from time to time during the remaining years 
of the recent war, to the Church at Washington, Ga., and in 
May, 1868, being then in the seventy-second year of his age, 
he was invited to become pastor of that church, but his age 
and feeble health forbade his acceptance of the call. 

I have gathered the foregoing facts in the life of Mr. Mont- 
gomery, from a memorial notice of him j)ublished in the 
North Carolina Presbyterian shortly after his death, which 
concludes as follows : " The few remaining years of his life 
were spent with his children, mostly in North Carolina. 
His wife died January the 14th, 1869. He survived her only 
a little more than one year. His means which were never 
limited to his salaries, enabled him to dispense a generous 
hospitality, heightened by those graces of head and heart 
which adorned the character of his pious companion. And 
he especially delighted to entertain his brethren of the min- 
istry. While the social circle could boast of no more genial 
companion, he testified in behalf of the cause of his Master, 
by a fearless denunciation of sin in high places and the 
fashionable amusements of the day. 

"In all the relations of life he was warmly demonstrative, 
and though candid and outspoken, he never failed to gather 
around him a circle of devoted friends. 

"His preaching, says a worthy and intelligent elder o/ one 
of his churches, ' was always evangelical, faithful and affec- 
tionate, but his best efforts were those delivered upon the 



132 Seminiscences of Newberry/. 

spur of the occasion, when he seemed to be inspired with 
love of immortal souls, and the weight of his own responsi- 
bility as a messenger of salvation.' " 

Rev. Edward Henry Buist was born in Charleston, S. C, 
on the 5th of October, 1837. He was the son of Rev. Arthur 
Buist, and the grandson of Rev. George Buist, D. D., the 
first pastor of the Scotch Church in Charleston, S. C, and a 
minister of much celebrity in the Presbyterian Church. 

Mr. Buist was graduated from the South Carolina College 
in 1858, taking the first honor in a large and talented class, 
and studied Theology in the Presbyterian Theological Semi- 
nary at Columbia, S. C 

Aveleigh Church was his first charge. While still a licen- 
tiate he began to supply the pulpit in 1861, and was ordained 
at Newberry in June, 1862. 

He was married in 1864 to Miss Carrie Sebring of Charles- 
ton, 8. C, (formerly of Tarrytown, N. Y.) He left Newberry 
in the summer of 1865, and went to Tarrytown where he 
remained for sometime. He became the pastor of the church 
at Cheraw, S. C, in 1869. His pastorate at Cheraw contin- 
ued until his death which occurred on the 11th of Sej3tem- 
ber, 1882. 

By reason of his talents, his scholarly attainments and his 
social qualities, Mr. Buist should be ranked among the fore- 
most ]Dreachers who have filled the different pulpits in New- 
berry in the past. I prefer that those who were more inti- 
mately associated with him than myself should speak of his 
virtues, and it affords nae pleasure to be permitted to present 
the following extract from a memorial adopted by the Ses- 
sion and read before the congregation of Aveleigh Church, 
on the 8th of October, 1882 : 

" Rev. Edward Henry Buist was taken from us so sud- 
denly, that it is hard for us as yet to appreciate the void his 



Reminiscences of Neivherry. 133 

death has occasioned. It is proper that Aveleigh Church 
should offer some testimonial to his memory, as it was here 
that his ministerial life began. This was his first charge. 
While still a licentiate, he supplied this pulpit, beginning 
June, 1861, and it was not until June, 1862 that he was or- 
dained pastor. It shows his great conscientiousness that he 
hesitated twelve months before he could be induced to accept 
the pastorate. This relation though practically severed the 
year previous — was not formally dissolved until the 15th of 
February, 1866 — so great was the desire of this congregation to 
retain his services. His life during these years of civil strife 
is closely interwoven with that of rhe Church. 

" Although young, his character even then had been suf- 
ficiently developed to enable us to give a proper estimate of 
it^ and to judge from the fruits of his efforts at that time, 
what influence he must exert when his faculties were fully 
matured. He was scholarly in his manner, and in all his 
waj's — as a pulpit orator and as a debator. He was a fin-^ 
linguist, especially proficient in the ancient languages; 
learned in ecclesiasti(?al history; a master of logic and a pro- 
found student of metaphysics. His natural talent for the 
last science and his love of it, tinctured his whole line of 
thought and mode of expression. He greatly resembled in 
this respect his beloved teacher, Thornwell, with whom he 
had also in common that thorough earnestness which car- 
ries conviction to the mind of the hearer. 

'^As to his moral qualities, what mainly distinguished 
him was his conscientiousness, his charity both in opinion 
and action, and his exceeding cheerfulness which so thor- 
oughly imbued him, that he miparted it to all with whom 
he came in contact ; it divested his religion of all gloom — 
although he was orthodox — invested it with a warmth to 
which may be ascribed a great share of his success. 



134 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

''In the wider sphere of the Presbyterian Church as in the 
pulpit, he was distinguished by his clearness of thought and 
logical statement, which caused his opinions to be treated 
witli great consideration. His loss will be felt, his memory 
cherished throughout our entire Church." 



CHAPTER X. 



ST. LUKE'S (episcopal) CHURCH— SERVICE IN '1 HE COURT 
HOUSE AND FEMALE ACADEMY IN 183() BV REV. CRAN- 
MORE WALLACE — IN 1845 BY REV. R. S. SEELY, FOL- 
LOWED BY REV. E. T. WALKER— CONSECRATION OF 
CHURCH EDIFICE IN 1S55— REV C. R. HAYNES— REV. 
LUCIEN LANCE — REV. MAXWELL PRINGLE— REV. 
E. R MILES — REV. P. F. STEVENS — REV. JOHN 
KERSHAW — REV. S. H. S. GALLAUDET — REV. FRANK 
HALL AM — REV W. F. DICKINSON — REV, W. H. 
HANCKEL. 



THE early records of St. Luke's, are supposed to have been 
burnt in the great fire which occurred in Newberry, 
in 1866 

The following sketch has been prepared almost entirely, 
from information furnished by Mrs. Stiles Hurd, of Strat- 
ford, Connecticut, (formerly a resident of Newberry,) and 
Miss Ella M. Blake, of Charleston, to both of whom I grate- 
fully acknowledge my indebtedness. 

From an old record it is ascertained that as early as 1836, 
the Rev. Cranmore Wallace, having been appointed " Mis- 
sionary to destitute parishes," held services occasionally at 
Newberry, in the Court House. 

In 1845, Rev. R. S Seely was sent to Newberry by Bishop 
Gadsden. Mr. Seely remained about two years, and held 
service in the Court House. 

Among the earliest Episcopalians in Newberry were, the 



136 Reminiscences of Neirherry. 

families of Stiles Hiird, Wm. C. Johnson and William B. 
D'Oyley, Miss Susan McCammon, (afterwards Mrs. Wm. F. 
Anderson), Norman Brownson and A. C. Garlington Esq. 
All or nearly all of these were living in Newberry when 
Mr. Reely came. 

The Church organization bears date from 1846, in which 
year it was admitted into union with the Diocesan Conven- 
tion of South Carolina. 

In 184F, and for some time after, Rev. Clement Johnson 
was Missionary to Newberry and Laurens, and during at 
least i3art of the time, resided in Newberry, 

About 1850, the membership of the Church was increased 
by the addition of the families of Edward S Bailey, R. H. 
Greneker and H. T. Peake, C. H. Kingsmore and ethers 
whose names cannot be remembered. Mr. Hurd and Mr. 
Bailey were the Episcopalians most active in trying to 
establish the Church, permanently, while C(»l Simeon Fair 
and others not Episcopalians showed a willingness to act 
as vestrymen, or to aid in any way in their power. 

In 1853, Rev E. T. Walker, of Beaufort, S. C. became 
Rector, holding services in the Female Academy, and occa- 
sionally in the Baptist Church, bj^ invitation of Rev. Dr. 
Brantly, the pastor. During the rectorship of Mr. Walker, 
efforts were made to raise funds with which to build a 
Church edifice. This was accomplished and the present 
Church was consecrated in the summer of 1855, by the Right 
Rev. Bishop Davis, D. D. The clergymen present were 
Rev Edmund Bellinger, Rev. Benjamin Johnson and Rev. 
E. T Walker. The wardens at the time were Stiles Hurd 
and Edward S. Bailey and the vestrymen Wm C. Johnson 
and Wm. B. D'Oyley. At the same time seven persons were 
confirmed, among them was the venerable Wm. C.Johnson, 
who died a few years ago, respected by all who knew him, 



Reminiscences of Neirberry. 137 

for his integrity and uprightness of character He was sub- 
sequently elected a warden and continued in that office 
until his death. 

At the consecration of the Church, Miss Carrie Hurd, 
(now Mrs. E. E. Jackson, of Columbia,) presided at the 
Organ, which was the gift of Edward S. Bailey. 

The Church edifice, when first erected, was the hand- 
somest and most Church-like House of Worship in the town. 
It had a very symmetrical tower standing at the northeast 
corner, which, unfortunately, (owing to defective work) had 
to be taken down within a few years after its erection 

In the winter of 1856, Mr. Walker gave up his pastorate 
in Newberry, and was succeeded by Rev. Benj. Johnson, 
of Abbeville, who officiated two Sabbaths in each month 
Mr. Johnson was succeeded by Rev. C. R. Haynes, who offi- 
ciated until 1862, when he resigned to accept a call to a 
parish in Virginia. 

Rev, Lucien Lance, one of St. Luke's best beloved pastors 
came next. Fitted by inclination, education and associa- 
tion for his high calling, Mr. Lance won the sincere affec- 
tion of his flock, and in the darkest hours of the recent war, 
his gentleness, sympathy and unwavering faitli, were as 
sunbeams, entering and brightening many an over- 
shadowed home, and sustaining the drooping hopes of 
many, who, driven from their homes near the sea, had 
sought refuge in Newberry. 

The following brief obituary notice of Mr. Lance, ap- 
peared in the ^^ Sundctij Mugazlne,^^ (April, 1883). 

" The Rev L. C Lane >, S. T. D., Chaplain of Kemper Hall, 
Kenosha, (Wisconsin), died on Friday, January 12th, (1883), 
after a short illness. He had lived ten years at Kenosha. 
Mr. Lance was born at the Murat homestead on the Dele- 
ware River, near Bordentown, N. J., on the 7th day of 



138 Remimscencfs of Newberry. 

September, 1832. He came of an illustrious family, being 
the nephew of the Princess Lucien Murat, and related to 
the DeMonchy family ; his father William Lance, was a 
prominent lawyer of Charleston, S. C. He was graduated 
at the early age of seventeen atCharlestou College, in the 
Class of 1849 ; other members of the class were PaulHayne, 
the poet ; Ch. Richardson Miles, at presect a leading lawyer 
of Charleston ; Robert Hunie, and the late John McCrady, 
Professor of Geology and Zoology, at Harvard. Mr. Lance 
entered the General Theological Seminary in New York, in 
1851, graduating three years later. Mr. Lance was ordained 
to the Diaconate by the late Bishop Davis, of South Carolina, 
in 1854, and admitted to the Priesthood, two years later. 
His first position was that of assistant minister of All 
Saints' Parish, Waccamaw, S. C, where he remained five 
years, when he married Miss Georgian na Hasell, the 
daughter of a prominent physician. From there he went 
to Charleston to assume the Rectorship of Calvary Church, 
for the colored people. This was in 1860. In 1869, he be- 
came Rector of the Church of the Ascension, Frankfort, Ky., 
succeeding the Rev. Jno. Norton, D. D. In 1872, he resigned 
this Parish to accept the Rectorship of St Matthew's 
Church, Kenosha, which parish he retained five years, 
during which the fine stone Church building of the parish 
was erected. For the last five years he has been Professor 
and Chaplain of Kemper Hall." 

During the latter years of the recent war, and for some- 
time afterwards the Church edifice was in such a dilapi- 
dated and comfortless condition that services were held in 
the Hotel parlor and the Lutheran Church, which had 
been kindly offered for that purpose. But through the in- 
defatigable efforts of the members, assisted by the former 
Rector, Rev. E T. Walker, who enlisted the sympathy of 



Meiuiniscences of Neuherry. 139 

some wealthy Episcopalians in Charleston and elsewhere, 
the Church was soon repaired and made comfortable again. 

From 18G7 to 1868, Rev. Maxwell Pringle, officiated once 
a month. Upon his resignation the Church was again 
without a pastor, but occasional services were held by llev. 
E. T. Walker, and others. 

In 1870, Rev. Edward R. Miles, lately ordained, was in- 
stalled as the regular pastor of St. Luke's, and the parishes 
of Anderson and Ijaurens. Mr. Miles was beloved by his 
flock, and admired and respected by all who came in con- 
tact with him. He was a graduate of the College of Char'es- 
ton. His family, are all talented. He was himself, " a 
gentleman of the old school," highly cultivated and fitted 
to adorn, almost any sphere in life. Yet he was contented 
and happy in the limited one in which he moved ; refusing 
tempting calls to wider fields ; believing that he was most 
needed in that part of the Master's vineyard in which he 
was laboring. Entering the ministrv late in life. Mr. 
Miles seemed anxious to work while it was day, feeling that 
the sunset of life was not far distant for him. His feeble 
health was a constant reminder of the limited period 
allotted for his labors, and his heart and hands were ever 
busy in his work. When in 1885, he was called *' up 
higher," the only regret he expressed was that he had not 
been able to do more for his Master's service. 

When Mr. Miles resigned, in 1873, the parish was without 
regular service for one year. But lay reading, by Capt. N, 
B. Mazyck, was kept up during that time. 

In 1874, Rev. P. F. Stevens, Rector of Grace Church, An- 
derson, and Professor in the Male and Female Collegiate 
Institute of that place was placed in charge, in connexion 
with the parish of Anderson. Mr. Stevens was a graduate 
of the Citadel Academy, of Charleston, of which he after- 



140 Reminiscences of Newberrij. 

wards became the Superintendent. He studied for the min- 
istry while he was in charge of the Citadel. Having re- 
signed the position of Superintendent of the Military Acad- 
emy, he was ordained Deacon, in Charleston, by Bishop 
Davis, in the summer or fall of 1861, and took charge as mis- 
sionary of Trinity, Black Oak. He was afterwards or- 
dained Priest, but the date of the ordination has not been 
ascertained. 

In the winter of 1861 Governor Pickens appointfd him 
Colonel, and offered him the opportunity to form the Hol- 
combe Legion, which he did. He was ordered to Virginia 
in Gen. Evans' Brigade in the summer of 1862, and was at 
the second battle of Mana-sas as Brigade Commander, was 
slightly wounded, and was mentioned by Gen. Longstreet 
for special gallantry. He resigned and resumed his parish 
(St. John's) in the winter of 1863. 

''In 1875, becoming dissatisfied with the discipline of the 
Old Church, he resigned and united himself with the New, 
the ' Reformed Episcopal.' He has since been made a 
Bishop, is very zealous, especially among the negroes, who 
have joined (in considerable numbers) the schismatic move- 
ment inaugurated by Bishop Cummings, of New York." 

In June, 1876, Rev. John Kershaw, of .Abbeville Church, 
was called to the charge of St. Luke's, offlciating one Sun- 
day in each montli, until April, 1879, when he resigned. 

Mr. Kershaw is a talented and thoroughly educated man. 
After practicing law for several years, he became convinced 
that it was his duty to enter the ministry, and having re- 
linquished the legal profession, he has ever since been ac- 
tively and zealously engaged in his sacred calling. 

His resignation was deeply regretted by his people at 
Newberry. 

The two parishes, Abbeville and Newberry, again united 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 141 

in a call to a Rector. The Rev. S H. S. Gallaudet, of Mary- 
land, responded, and in September 1879 officiated for the 
first time. In 1880 he removed to Spartanburg, having 
been invited to take charge of the Church at that place. 

Rev. Frank Hallam, who was highly respected and es- 
teemed, succeeded Mr. Gallaudet in the charge of the two 
parishes. After remaining one year, he became convinced 
that St. Luke's should have a resident pastor, and through 
his efforts — aided by the Bishop — the services of the Rev 
W. F. Dickinson, of Grace Church, Long Island, were se- 
cured, and in January, 1882, he entered upon his duties. As 
he was a highly cultivated gentleman, an eloquent preacher 
and possessed of engaging social qualities, his resignation 
(tendered in December, 18S2,) was accepted with regret. 
He went from Newberry to Spartanburg, to take charge of 
the Church of the Advent, at that place. Since then no 
effort has been made to secure a resident minister, the con- 
gregation being to small to support one. 

In January, 1883, Rev. William H. Hanckel, of Pendle- 
ton becapie Rector, in connexion with the parish of Abbe- 
ville. Mr. Hanckel has continued to fill the office of Rec- 
tor of the two parishes most acceptably since that time. 



CHAPTER XI. 



liUTHER CHAPEL (EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH) — 
ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY— REV. T. S. BOINEST— 
REV. WILLIAM BERLY — REV. THEOPHILUS STOKK, 
D. D— REV. J. P. SMELTZER. 

FROM the records of Luther Chapel, I have been permit- 
ted to make the following -extract: " The flourishing 
town of Newberry, surrounded by a considerable Lutheran 
population, and presenting inducements to men of business 
to locate there was by many regarded as a desirable place 
for the erection of an Evangelical Lutheran Church and the 
organization of a congregation. The importance of such an 
enterprise was greatly increased during the year 1852, by the 
removal to this place of several prominent and influential 
members and families of our Communion, when with com- 
mendable liberality, Nathan A. Hunter proposed, if the 
enterprise were taken hold of, to donate an eligible lot of 
land on which to erect the Church. 

"Subscriptions were immediately opened for the purpose 
of securing funds for the completion of a House of Worship, 
and the Rev. T. S, Boinest began, occasionally, as opportu- 
nity was offered him, to preach in the town. He appointed 
from among the contributors the following trustees and 
building committee: Trustees — Henry Summer, Esq., B. 
J. Ramage, Esq., Thomas W. Hollo way, Geo. G. DeWatt, 
Esq., E. P. Lake, C. H. Suber, Esq., and Jacob Kibler. 
Building Committee — Maj. J. P. Kinard, Maj. A. C. Garling- 
ton, Dr. O. B. Mayer, E. Y. McMorris, and N. A. Hunter. 



JRemiriiscences of JVeivberry. 143 

"To the Trustees Mr. Hunter executed a title for the lot, 
and they at their first meeting authorized the building 
Committee to erect the Church on the same." 

On Sabbath July the 10th, 1853, Rev. T. S. Boinest preached 
in the Court House, and after service the congregation was 
organized by the enrollment of the following ;iames, who 
were in regular communion with some one of the neighbor- 
ing Churches, but to whom this place was most convenient : 
Mathias Barre, Mrs. Jane C. Barre, W. W. Houseal, Mrs. 
Eliza Houseal, David Werts, Mrs, Sarah Werts, J. L. Mor- 
gan, Mrs. Harriet Morgan, J. L. Aull, J. K. Schumpert, John 
J. Schumpert, Mrs. Susan Kinard, Mrs. Louisa C. Hunter, 
Mrs. Herselia F. Cline, Mrs. Harriet Schumpert, INIiss Eliza- 
beth Morgan, Miss Mary Ann Barre, Miss Elizabeth Whit- 
man, Miss Eliza Jane Gauntt, Miss Amanda C. Stockman, 
Miss Minerva E. Schumpert. 

''Immediately after the organization of the congregation, 
John L. Morgan and W. W. Houseal were elected Elders. 

" On Wednesday August the 10th, 1853, the corner-stone 
of the Church was laid with appropriate ceremonies, and 
the Rev, Dr. Bachman of Charleston delivered the sermon 
in the Court House which was filled to overflowing." 

The Church was completed on the first day of December, 
1854, and dedicated on Sabbath, December 10th, 1854. The 
dedication sermon was preached by the Rev. John Bach- 
man, D. D., of Charleston. 

The following list of pastors who have served the Church 
was handed to me by Mr. W. W. Houseal :— Rev. T. S. Boi- 
nest, 1853-54, Rev. William Berly, 1857-58, Rev. Theophilus 
Stork, D. D., 1859-60, Rev. J. P. Smeltzer, D. D., 1861-68, 
Rev, Jacob Hawkins, D. D., 1^71, Rev. H. W. Kuhns, D. D., 
1873-78, Rev. S. P. Hughes, 1879-81, Rev. Jacob Steck, D. D., 
1882-84, Rev. A. B. McMakin, 1885-86 ; of these. Rev. T. S. 



144 jRcmmiscences of Newberry. 

Boinest, Rev. William Berly, Rev. Dr. Stork and Rev. J. P. 
Smeltzer are dead. 

The present pastor, Rev. W. C. Schaeffer, came to the 
Church in November, 1887. 

In the preparation of the following notices of Rev. Mr. 
Boinest and Rev. Mr. Berly, I am, to a great extent indebted 
— for information concerning them— to "Memorials " of each 
published in the ^Minutes of the Sessions of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Synod of S. C. That of Mr. Boinest in 1871, and 
of Mr. Berly in 1873. 

Rev. Tliaddeus Street Boinest was born in the Cit^' of 
Charleston, S. C, on the 17th of December, 1827. 

He received the rudiments of an education at the school 
of the German Friendly Society of that city, and afterwards 
served an apprenticeshijD as an engineer under Mr. Thomas 
Dotterer. At an early age he was confirmed in St. John's 
Church, by his pastor. Rev. Dr. Bachman, who was always 
his firm friend and spiritifal father. 

Impressed with the duty of preaching the Gospel, he re- 
solved, contrary to the wishes and advice of some of his 
friends, to devote himself to a preparation for that work. 

Prof. W. J. Rivers, (afterwards of the South Carolina Col- 
lege,) consented to aid him by giving him lessons at night 
while he still plied his trade by day. In this way he ad- 
vanced rapidly. On the Gth of September, 1847, he entered 
the Classical and Theological Seminary at Lexington, S. C, 
under the tutorship of Rev. William Berly and Rev. E. L. 
Hazelius. Having graduated with honor, he was licenced 
to preach the Gospel at a Synod held at Ebenezer, Ga., in 
November, 1851. 

He was aided in his support while at Lexington by that 
noble band of ladies, whose praise is in all the Churches. 
"The Society for the promotion of Religion," of St. John's, 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 145 

Charleston. He accepted a call to St. Luke's Colony, and 
St. Matthew's Churches, in Newberry County, and preached 
his first sermon at St. Luke's, December 14th, 1S51. The 
next December he resigned at St. Matthew's, and in Janu- 
ary following took charge of Bethlehem. He was in due 
time ordained to the holj'' ministry. 

On the 10th of Jul^', 1853, he organized a Lutheran con- 
gregation at Newberry, and became their pastor. This pas- 
torate, however, he soon resigned, that he might serve Beth- 
lehem and other Churches then under his care, and thus, as 
also by his happy marriage in the neighborhood of Beth- 
lehem, he early identified himself with the temporal and 
spiritual welfare of the good people among whom he died. 

He was, from his entrance upon the nriinistry, one of the 
most progressive and useful members of the Synod of South 
Carolina. He was for many years an active member of the 
Boards of the Seminary and Newberry College, and was for 
four years President of the Synod of South Carolina. 

He died on the 4th day of September. 18—, aged 43 years. 

Rev. William Berly was born in Newberry County, S. C, 
on the 25th of December, 1810, and died at his residence, in 
Lexington village, April the 18th, 1873. 

Having received a thorough English education in the 
classical school connected with the Theological Seminary of 
the Synod of South Carolina, located at Lexington C. H., 
he pursued a full course of theology under the Rev. Dr. 
Hazelius, and graduated on the llth of November, 1836. 
being a member of the first class that entered that institu- 
tion. He entered upon his pastoral duties as licentiate of 
the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of South Carolina, in 
which capacity he labored until November, 1837, when he 
was oidained to the Gospel ministry at St. John's (Calk's 

Road) Church, Lexington Countv, S. C. From that time 
10 



146 JReminiscences of Newberry. 

until his death he labored diligently and faithfully in the 
cause of his Master. 

Immediately after his licensure he became pastor of 
several congregations in Newberry County ,which he served 
with eminent ability and success. By his untiring devo- 
tion to the work of the ministry, and the faithful discharge 
of his duties as pastor, he not only added largely t^ the 
membership of his charge, but being deeply imbued with 
a true missionary spirit, he visited and preached in desti- 
tute neighborhoods, and to his efficient labors and zealous 
efforts several of the most flourishing Lutheran Churches 
in Newberry County owe their origin . 

Iq addition to his arduous labors in the ministry, he was 
employed for thirty years as an instructor of youth. He 
was for several years the efficient principal of a Female 
Academy in the town of Newberry, and served for several 
terms as principal in the Literar^^ and Classical Institute 
connected with the Theological ^^eminary at Lexington. 
After the removal of this institution to Newberry, he estab- 
lished a Female Academy in the immediate vicinity of 
Lexington village, of which he remained principal up to a 
short time previous to his death, filling at the same time, 
with great satisfaction, the Lexington pastorate. 

The Rev. Theophilus Stork, D. D., was born near Salis- 
bury, N. C, in August, IS 14. He was the son of the Rev. 
Carl Augustus Gottlieb Storch, (which was the original 
German family name.) His mother's name was Christiana 
Beard. 

His youthful morals were of the strictest character, for 
his father's discipline was of the good old German Lutheran 
type ; but Theophilus was a boy of a naturally gentle dis- 
position, who easily yielded to paternal control. He thus 
grew up to be a blameless man, whose fair name was never 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 147 

sullied by the breath of suspicion. He graduated from the 
Gettysburg College in 1835. Then studied in the Seminary 
at that place two years, which at that day was the pre- 
scribed time. In 1837 he began his first pastorate at Win- 
chester, Va. In 1841 he became pastor of St. INIatthew's 
Church, Philadelphia, and afterwards of St Mark's, in the 
same city. In the autumn of 1858 he resigned the latter 
pastorate to accept the Presidency of Newberry College. 

Just btfore he came to Newberry, his health began to be 
seriously impaired, which induced him to believe that a 
residence in the South would be beneficial. 

In a letter addressed to his son Charles (dated November 
oth, 1858,) while he was considering the question of removal 
to the South he writes : 

•' I am happy to find you so responsive to my suggestions 
in relation to the South. I feel a longing for some position 
in which I could prosecute my studies, and at the same 
time be devoted to the Church and the glory of God. Such 
a position is now offered to me, and I feel disposed to ac- 
cept it. * ^ * ^ * I expect to go South next week to 
view the place and property, and after my return will de- 
cide the matter. Let us pray, Charles, that God may guide 
us in this important decision." 

In a postcript to the foregoing letter, (among other things) 
he writes : " I have been South. I am delighted with al- 
most every thing. The town of Newberry is a very pleas- 
ant place. It has the best society in South Carolina, and 
that is saying a good deal." 

Hee ntered upon his duties as President of the College in 
February, 1859, and was very soon thereafter elected pastor 
of Luther Chapel. After residing in Newberry about two 
years, he concluded that the state of his health, which had 
not been improved, would not permit him to remain longer, 



148 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

and resigned both the Presidency of the College and the 
Pastorate of the Church. I have not ascertained the pre- 
cise dates of these resignations. 

The following extract is from the " Stork Famibj in the 
Lutheran Church,^^ by the Rev. John G. Morris, D. D., an 
interesting book, to which I am indebted for most of the 
material of this sketch : 

" During the second year in the Seminary, and especially 
in vacation time, he (Dr. Stork) occasionally preached. 
His method at that time was to write his sermons with 
much care, and then so familiarize his mind with the dis- 
course as to deliver it without much use of the manuscript. 
His delivery had all the force and freedom of extempora- 
neous speaking. Nor did he confine himself to the written 
sermon. Under the influence of excitement he sometimes 
burst forth into impromptu eloquence of great power, 

*' Dr. Stork possessed a heart in an unusual degree free 
from guile. * * * * jjjg talents and taste 
peculiarly fitted him for the pulpit. By nature and grace 
he was richly endowed to preach salvation to perishing 
sinners. * ¥. * jj^ disliked all shams in 

religion and worship He w^as deeply in earnest while 
dealing with divine things. Though not of a strictly theo- 
logical cast of mind, he delighted in the great doctrines 
of grace, and presented them with great unction and power. 
There was a fervor and a glow at times that filled the heart. 
He was emphatically a heart preacher. His style was clear 
and elegant, highly finished, and always lively and 
vigorous." 

Dr. Stork was the author of nine publications in book- 
form. A volume of his sermons edited by his sons was pub- 
lished after his death. His writings are chiefly on Biblical 
subjects. He was also employed a good deal in editing and 



Reminiscences of Neivherry. I'i9 

writiDg for various religious newspapers and magazines. 
It is said that in his writings : " He reveals his devout 
and loving heart, a wide range of reading and fine aesthetic 
talent." 

I have not had the pleasure of reading his books, and 
cannot therefore sx)eak of their merits But my recollec- 
tion of the man leads me to confirm all that has been said 
in the preceding extract of his preaching and his Christian 
character. 

After he left Newberry he was engaged in preaching— as 
his health would permit — in Baltimore and Philadelphia. 
He was twice married. His first wife, was Miss Mary Jane 
Lynch, of Jefferson, Md , who died in 1846. Two years 
after, he married Miss Emma Baker, of Philadelphia, who 
survived him. He died in Philadelphia on the 28th of 
March, 1874. 

Rev. J. P. Smeltzer, D. D., died October 31st, 1887. The 
following brief, but comprehensive sketch ot his life ap- 
peared in the Charleston News and Courier, newspaper, 
November 1st, 1887 : 

"The Rev. J. P. Smeltzer, D. D„ died at the residence of 
his son, in this city, yesterday morning. He was one of 
the oldest, as he was likewise one of the ablest and best 
ministers of the Lutheran Church in South Carolina. 

"Dr. Smeltzer was born in Frederick County, Maryland, 
September 10, 1819. He received a liberal education, and 
about the time he reached manhood was ordained a minis- 
ter of the Lutheran Church. He was for several years 
principal of a well-known and popular educational institu- 
tion at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, and was at different times 
pastor of the Churches at Shepherdstown and Salem, 
Virginia. In 1861, so great had become his reputation as an 
instructor, that he was elected President of Newberry 



150 Reininiscences of Newberry. 

College in this State. He remov^ed to South Carolina and 
conducted the affairs of this institution with signal ability, 
when the College was located at Newberry, and after its re- 
moval to Walhalla, until 1879, w^hen the College was again 
taken back to Newberry. In that year he resigned the 
Presidency of the institution, and established at his moun- 
tiin home the Walhalla Female College, of which he was 
the head until 1885. During his labors as a teacher Dr. 
Smeltzer did not discontinue his work in the pulpit, and 
was Pastor of the Spring Hill Lutheran Church, in Lexing- 
ton Count3\ Last spring, his health having given way 
under the ceaseless toil of many years, Dr. Smeltzer came 
to Charleston, where he spent the last few months of his 
life. 

•'Dr. Smeltzer was a verv forcible preacher. He was 
possessed of profound powers of analysis, and preached with 
great effectiveness. For his theological learning the degree 
of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Erskine 
College. His attainments were solid. He did not indulge 
in oratorical pyrotechnics in the pulpit, but preserved at all 
times a proper respect for the work of his exalted mission. 
He was highly esteemed by all who knew him, for his emi- 
nent piety, his transparent truthfulness, and for the solid 
oak of which his life was built. His death will be sincerely 
deplored by the Lutherans of the State and by none more 
sincerely than by the Lutherans of Charleston." 



CHAPTER XII. 



Thompson street (associated reformed Presbyte- 
rian) CHURCH — history — REV. E. P. M'CLINTOCK — 
REV. H. E. MURPHY. 



THE early records of the Thompson Street Church are 
supposed to have been destroyed by fire. In the summer 
of 1875, a committee was appointed by the Church to col- 
lect any facts in its history that could be obtained, and re- 
cord them in some permanent form. From the report of 
that committee (which I have been kindly permitted to 
examine,) the following historical facts have chiefly been 
gathered : In 1853 steps were first taken to establish an 
Associate Eeformed Presbyterian Church at Newb:rry, and 
in that year and the year following the Rev. D. F. 
Haddon, and other Associate Reformed Presbyterian min- 
isters, preached occasionally in Kew berry. 

In the year 1854, Dr. Thomas W. Thompson, of New- 
berry, conveyed to Joseph S. Reid and Robert C. Wright, 
Trustees, a lot of land, as a donation to the Church, to be 
used for the pnrpose of erecting a house of worship thereof. 

The church edifice was completed in 1855. The building 
committee consisted of Dr. Thomas W. Thompson, Col. 
James M. Crosson, William Steele and Robert C. Wright. 

The Second Associate Reformed Presbytery furnished the 
congregation with supplies of preaching during the build- 
ing of the house. Among the ministers who preached dur- 
ing this period; the following names are recollected : Rev. 
R. C. Grier, D. D., Rev. W. R. Hemphill, Rev, D F. Had- 



152 ^Reminiscences of Newberry. 

don, Rev. H. T, Sloan, Rev. H. L. Murphy and Rev. J. N. 
Young. During the year 185o the congregation united 
with that of King's Creek in extending a call to Rev. H. L. 
Murphy to become their pastor. This call was accepted by 
Mr. Murphy, who was soon after ordained and installed pas- 
tor of the two congregations. The installation services were 
held in the Presbyterian Church at Newberry, most of the 
members of the second Associate Reformed Presbytery being 
present and participating in the exercises. The Rev. E. E- 
Pressly, D. D., presided as Moderator, and the Rev. H. T- 
Sloan preached the ordination sermon. (The date of Mr- 
Murphy's ordination is not given in the report.) 

The Rev, Mr. Murphy preached in the Court House from 
the time of his ordination until the house of worship was 
ready for use. 

Soon after the building was completed a protracted meet- 
ing was held, during which the house was dedicated to the 
only Living and True God. In the organization of the 
Church, Dr. Thomas W. Thompson and Col. James Crosson 
were elected Ruling Elders, and Dr. D. W. Reid and J. 
Sims Brown, Deacons. 

The committee, in concluding their report, say : " For a 
considerable period this congregation enjoyed as much pros- 
perity as could reasonably be expected. With preaching 
on every alternate Sabbath, a prayer-meeting during the 
week and Sabbath-School exercises every Sabbath, there 
seemed to be good promise of a large and growing congre- 
gation. In the course of a few years, however, the congre- 
gation began to suffer by removals, and at length entered, 
while yet in its youth, into the sore experience to which 
the Southern Churches were subjected in the war between 
the States. 

"At the close of the war the congregation found itself 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 153 

little more than a skeleton. Amon^ the oflfice bearers Dr. 
Thompson had died, Col. Crosson had removed to another 
State, William Hood, elected some years after the organiza- 
tion, had been elected Treasurer of the State and had re- 
moved to Columbia ; William McMorries alone remained of 
the Elders. The Deacons had both removed to other con- 
gregations. The membership was reduced to a handful, 
and many of them stripped of their wealth by the war. 
The pastor. Rev. Mr. Murphy, was discouraged, both with 
the state of his congregations and the condition of the 
country. This discouragement on the part of the pastor 
became so great that, in the latter part of 1866, he aban- 
doned the congregations and removed to another State. 

" From this time for a number of years these Churches re- 
mained vacant. The second Presbytery furnished occasional 
supplies. Among those supplying the pulpit with occasional 
services were, Rev. R C. Grier, D. D , Rev, W. R. Hemphill, 
Eev. J. N. Young, Rev. J. P. Pressly, Rev. W. F. Pressly, 
Rev. J. F. Hemphill, and Rev. D. F. Haddon. 

"Rev. W. M. Grier was sent to this Church and that of 
King's Creek, as stated supply for one year. After remain- 
ing this time, he was sent to some other field." 

Then follows : "A list of names remembered as office-bear- 
ers and members during the pastorate of Rev. H. L. Murphy. 
Ruling Elders : Thomas W. Thompson, James M. Crosson, 
William Hood, and William McMorries. Deacons— D W. 
Reid and J. C, S. Brown. ^Members — Mrs. Thomas Thomp- 
son, Mrs. James Crosson, Mrs. D. W. Reid, Mrs. Lavinia 

Brown, Charles Jones, Jane Jones, James Crawford, 

Crawford, Eliza Montgomery, William Steele and wife, 
Thomas Chapman and wife, Mrs, Mary Graham, Mrs. Rosa 
Harriss, R. C. Wright and wife, William Martin and wife, 
Mrs. Jane McMorries, Miss Nannie McMorries, Miss Erin 



154 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

McMorries, Miss Ann INIontgoniery, Miss Rosa Wright, Mr. 

i^obinson, Samuel Warnock, William Osbourn. 

Colored Members —Mary Reid, Elizabeth ." 

The Rev. E, P. McClintock (then a licentiate) preached 
part of the time during the years 1869 and 1870, to the 
Thompson Street Congregation. 

In July, 1871, he was invited to become the pastor of 
King's Creek and Thompson Street Churches. This invita- 
tion he-accepted, and on the 12th of August following — at a 
meeting of the Second Presbytery, held at King's Creek 
Church, was ordained, and installed pastor of the two con- 
gregations. In October. 1884, he resigned the charge of the 
King's Creek Church, and gave his whole time to the 
Thompson Street Congregation, of which he is still the 
pastor. 

It will be observed that Mr. McClintock has been the pas- 
tor of Thompson Street Church since 1871. Under his faith- 
tul and judicious oversight the Church hassteadily increased 
in numbers and efficiency. He enjoys the confidence and 
aflfection of his own people, as well as the esteem and respect 
of the entire community. 

There does not appear to be any reason why his pastorate 
— already the longest in the history of Newberry, may not 
continue until the close of his life. 

The Rev. Henry Leland Murphy, the first pastor of 
Thompson Street Church, was born near Due West, in 
Abbeville County, S. C„on the 9th of September, 1823. 

The progress of his education was interrupted by the 
death of his father, which occurred in Tennessee, to which 
State he had removed. 

Being a hopeful and persevering youth, Mr. Murphy did 
not in the face of the difficulties of his situation abandon 
his cherished hope of securing a liberal education. Fortu- 



Bcniiniscences of Neirberry. 155 

nately for him two kind niaideu auutsj, living in the 
vicinity of Due West, S. C, came to his relief, and gener- 
ously ofTered him a home, and the means with which to go 
through Erskine College. 

After completing the literary course at Due West, he very 
soon after began the study of Theology in the Seminary, at 
that place, then under the superintendance of Rev. E. E. 
Pressly, D. D. In March, 1850, he was licensed to preach 
by the Second Presbytery of S. C, at Head Springs, in 
Laurens County. He, then, spent about two years in Mis- 
sionary labor, partly in the West. 

Returning to South Carolina, in 1851, he was happily 
married to Miss M. A. Hurst, of Abbeville County, who is 
still living, and was ever a faithful wife and self-sacrificing 
help meet to her husband in his laborious calling. The first 
year after his marriage was spent spent in teaching school, 
and preaching in Tennessee. In 1855, he became the pastor 
of King's Creek, and Thompson Street Churches, in New- 
berry, in which office he remained until after the close of 
the recent war, when he accepted a call from Churches in 
Tennessee and removed to that State, where he died on the 
24th of November, 1878. 

The Rev. J. H. Strong of Tennessee, in an obituary of 
Mr. Murphy published soon after his death, and which I 
have freely used in the preparation of this sketch, writes 
thus : '* Mr. Murphy occupied a high place among his 
brethren as a preacher ; he was a good scholar and an at- 
tractive and impressive speaker. * * * * * * He had 
an inquisitive and speculative mind, and occasionally mani- 
fested these traits in his sermons. It was my privilege to 
hear him often in the pulpit, and I found him truly powerful 
and happy when he told the 'simple tale of Calvary', and 
entreated sinners to come to Christ for help and salvation." 



CHAPTER XIII. 



SOME LIVING MINISTERS WHO WERE FORMERLY PASTORS IX 
NEWBERRY. — REV. J. J. BRANTLY, D. D., REV. H. W. 
KUHNS, U. D , REV. R. A. FAIR. 



REV. J. J. BRAKTLY, D. D. 

REV. JOHN JOINER BRANTLY, D. D., who is now 
Professor of Belle Lettres and Modern Languages in Mer- 
cer University, Macon, Ga., was pastor of the Newberry Bap- 
tist Church from 1850 to 1867. His pastorate extended over 
a period of nearly seventeen years, being at the time of his 
resignation the longest in the history of the town. It em- 
braced the four years of the War of Secession and two years 
immediately following, and during its continuance many of 
the oldest and most prominent members of his charge passed 
away. 

Dr. Brantly was born on the 29th of December, 1821, at 
Augusta, Ga, He is the son of Rev. William T. Brantly, 
Senior, D. D. His mother's maiden name w^as Margaretta 
Joiner. His father was a native of Chatham County, N. C. 
and his mother a native of Beaufort, S. C. When he was 
about five years old his father moved to Philadelphia, where 
he lived until 1837. Here he (John J.) received his school 
education. He was graduated from the Charleston, (S. C.) 
College (of w^hich his father was then President), in 1840. 

After his graduation, he taught school at different time& 
in Pittsboro and Fayetteville, N. C. and Augusta, Ga. He 
was licensed to preach by the First Baptist Church of 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 157 

Charleston, S. C. in 1844. His father then prostrated by pa- 
ralysis, signed his license as pastor of the Church, which 
was the very last official act of his life. 

In 1845, he was married to Miss Delia Smith of Fayette- 
ville, N. C. In 1846, he was ordained to the full work of the 
Gospel Ministry at Fayetteville, and remained there teach- 
ing and filling the position of pastor of the Baptist Church 
at that place until 1850, when he removed to Newberry. 

Dr. Brantly's sermons preached in Newberry, were always 
sound, intellectual and instructive, and accomplished a quiet 
but effective and permanent work. He was cahii and dig- 
nified in the pulpit and spoke witli deliberation. While he 
never elevated his voica to a high pitch, he could be dis- 
tinctly heard in every part of the Church. He did not at- 
tempt oratorical displays, but he had, without seeming to 
be aware of it himself, unusual power over the feelings of 
his hearers. By the beauty and pathos of a single sentence, 
he would often send a thrill through the hearts of his listen- 
ers, and bring silent tears into many eyes. His illustrations 
and descriptions were striking and graiihic. 

During the latter years of his residence in Newberry, he 
taught a Female School with much success. The character 
of his preaching and his labors in the school-room, made a 
profound and lasting impression in the mental as well as 
the moral development of the young of the community. 
Being an accomplished linguist, his language in preaching, 
in teaching and in the social circle was chaste, appropriate, 
and free from slang and vulgarisms. 

Dr. Brantly is every inch a student and a man of varied 
attainments. Before he left Newberrj^, he had accumulated 
a large library of valuable books in many languages. In 
addition to Latin, Greek and Hebrew, he had mastered the 
German, French, Italian and Spanish. He takes par- 



158 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

ticular delight in linguistic studies, and his knowledge 
of languages, is both copious and exact; qualities not apt 
to be found together. Having naturally good powers of 
acquisition and good ability to digest and assimilate 
thought so as to make it his own, it may well be sup- 
posed that his mind is stored with the best thoughts con- 
tained in human literature. His mind has an sesthetic ten- 
dency, and a poetic vein runs through his mental habi- 
tudes. 

His native diffidence and studious habits incline him to 
retirement. The late Dr. H. H. Tucker, who was President 
of Mercer University when Dr. B went there, and for sev- 
eral years after, once said of him: "His home and his 
heaven are in his study, and his books are his angels." 
While he resided in Newberry he did not mingle very 
freely with the people, yet his amiable disposition and 
blameless life won for him the respect and confidence of 
every class of theconamunity. 

His removal from Newberry was deeply regretted by the 
people of his charge, and it may be mentioned that the 
Presbyterian, Methodist and Lutheran Churches of the 
town testified their appreciation of his character by sus- 
pending their services on the day he was to take leave of his 
people, in order that their respective congregations might 
go to the Baptist Church and hear his farewell sermon, 
the Presbyterian Church having previously sent to Dr. 
Brantley and his Church, copies of the following preamble 
and resolutions, which had been adopted by them : 

" 17th December, 1866. 
" The Session of the Aveleigh Church having heard of 
the contemplated removal from this community of the Rev. 
John .T. Brantly, D. D., and consequently the dissolution of 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 159 

his pastoral relation with the Newberry Baptist Church, 
deem it not improper to adopt the following resolutions : 

^' Hesolved, That we deeply sympathize with our brethren 
of the Baptist Church in their anticipated loss of the ser- 
vices of their beloved Pastor, Rev. J. J. Brantly, whose 
purity of character, rare attainments and Christian excel- 
lence have endeared him to us all — recommending them to 
Him who, having removed Elijah, in his stead gave Elisha. 

" Resolved, That we, though members of another denomi- 
nation, yet witnesses of his faithfulness to his people and 
our community, tender to Dr. Brantly assurances of our 
afTectionate regard and brotherly love, and also of our high 
esteem for him as a minister of the Gospel, praying our 
Heavenly Father to direct him and strengthen him in his 
new field of labor, and that he may be comforted with the 
knowledge that the good seed which he has sown in this 
community continues to yield rich harvests to the honor 
and glory of God. 

'• Resolved, That copies of these proceedings be furnished 

to the Newberry Baptist Church, and to the Rev. Jno. J. 

Brantly, D. D. 

'E. A. MTCKLE, Moderator:' 

" SILAS JOHNSTONE, Secretary. 
"G. D. SMITH. 
"JAMES M. BAXTER. 
"W. J. DUFFIE. 
'SSAML. P. BOOZER, 
"ISAAC KELLER. 

Rev. H. W. KUHNS, D. D. 

Rev. Henry Welty Kuhns was born on the 23d of August, 
1829, in Greensburg, Pa. He was the son of John and 
Susan (Welty) Kuhns. His maternal ancestors came from 



160 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

Wirteinberg, Germany, and his paternal ancestors from 
Strasborg on the Rhine. He received his school education 
in his native town. A determination to become a preiicher 
of the gospel was formed in his boyhood, and never relin- 
quished, though for a time held in abeyance, His health, 
during his youth, was delicate, and through the advice of 
the family physician his father induced him to learn a 
trade, with the ho} e that his health might be thereby im- 
proved. He accordingly served an apprenticeship of three 
years at carriage making, and afterwards worked one year 
as a journeyman. He had become a rapid and exj^ert 
workman, and commanded good wages, so that he managed 
to save a considerable sum of money. 

During the years of his apprenticeship and the year fol- 
lowing he devoted some time at night to his books, and 
in this way kept up with his studies. The four years of 
labor greatly improved his health, and, with the desire to 
become a preacher still stirring within him, he determined 
to go to college. 

He entered Gettysburg College in April, 1851, and gradu- 
ated from the literary department in 1856 and from the 
theological department in 1858. His college expenses were 
defrayed by money he had saved while working at carriage 
making and with some assistance from his father. 

In September, 1858, under the auspices of the Alleghany 
Synod of Pennsylvania, he undertook what was known as 
the Nebraska Mission. He was the first Lutheran minister 
to enter that Territory, which was then being rapidly filled 
with white settlers. His headquarters were at Omaha, but 
he visited all parts of the Territory and was successful in 
establishing churches and in inducing pther ministers of 
his denomination to come and take charge of them. 

During his residence in Nebraska he was Chaplain to the 



Itemmiscences of Newberry. 161 

Legislature for three terras and was elected to the chair of 
Natural Science in the University of Nebraska, but declined 
the position. 

His health having failed again he visited the Pacific 
coast, and on his return had a severe attack of illness, and 
was advised by physicians to seek a warmer climate. This 
resulted in his accepting a call to become pastor of the Lu- 
theran congregation at Newberry. He came to Newberry 
in January, 1873, and continued in the pastoral office until 
August, 1883, when he resigned to accept a call to a pasto- 
rate at Westminster, Md. 

He was married in I860 to Miss Charlotte J. Hay, the 
daughter of Dr Michael Hay, of Johns. own, Pa. 

Dr. Kuhns is a man of uncommon energy and i^ersever- 
ance. He works indefatigably at whatever he undertakes. 
From the beginning, he threw himself heartily into his 
work in Newberry, and by his attractive style of preaching 
and his social disposition soon became one of the best known 
and most popular preachers of the town. He was the first 
pastor in Newberry to come directly from the North, and 
naturally brought with him some ideas and introduced 
some methods which were new to the people. Among 
other things, he introduced and kept up during his stay, 
an annual "Harvest Home" festival or celebration in his 
Church. His style of preaching was too i>ractical to be 
called sensational, It was, however, somewhat novel and 
peculiar. He made much use of jmssing events in enforcing 
the lessons of his sermons. His conduct as preacher and 
citizen was characterized by a spirit of kindliness worthy of 
high praise. 

It will be remembered that shortly after the recent war 
the property of Newberry College (the buildings having be- 
come a wreck) was sold, and the institution (in 1868) re-. 
11 



162 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

moved to Walhalla, S C. In 1876 efforts were made to se- 
cure tbe return of the college to Newberry, and in 1877, 
propositions having been made to the synod for its removal 
and relocation, by Newberry and other towns in the 
State, that of Newberry was accepted, 

Mr. Kuhns was deeply interested in having the college 
brought bacli to Newberry, and his indomitable energy 
and perseverance contributed largely to the success of the 
movement. Newberry College conferred upon him the 
title ot 1). D., and he was elected by its Board of Trus- 
tees professor of natural science, but he declined to accept 
the chair. 

REV. ROBERT A. FAIR. 

llev. Robert A. Fair, formerly a pastor of Aveleigh Church, 
though not born in Newberry, may in some sense be 
claimed as one of her sons. He is the son of James Fair, 
and the grandson of William Fair, who was one of the 
most worthy citizens of Newberry County. 

Few men were ever more honored by the success in life 
of a large family of sons, than William Fair. Among them 
were Col. Simeon Fair, a distinguished member of the 
Newberry Bar, Dr. Samuel Fair, of Columbia, S. C, and 
Dr. Drury Fair, of Alabama, both successful physicians, 
Gen. Young Fair, of Alabama, a lawyer and at one time 
United States Minister to the Court of Belgium, Archibald 
Fair, a prominent citizen of Florida, and James Fair, the 
father of Robert A., who spent most of his life as a success- 
ful planter in Abbeville County, and was honored by that 
County with a seat in the State Legislature for a number of 
years. 

Robert A. Fair was born in Abbeville County, on the 12th 
of December, 18?0. He was graduated from Erskine College 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 163 

in 1842, was admitted to the Bar in 1843, and began the 
practice of law at Abbeville. He was married on the 19th 
of November, 1844, to Miss Mary Amanda Allen, of Abbe- 
ville. In 1845 he formed a law partnership with the late 
Judge Thomas Thomson, at Abbeville, which continued 
until 1871. 

In February 1861, he was elected Lieutenant-Colonel of 
the 7th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, Confederate 
"Army, and served with that regiment until AjDril 1862, 
when he resigned on account of his health, which had be- 
came too much enfeebled for longer service in the field. 

In the autumn of 1862, he was elected a member of the 
House of Representatives of South Carolina, from Abbeville, 
and re-elected in 1864. 

' Having been thoroughly convinced of his duty to preach 
the Gospel, he gave up the practice of law and was ordained 
to the full work of the ministry by the South Carolina 
Presbytery at Roberts Church in Anderson County, in 
June 1871. 

His case came under " the exception " in the Presbyterian 
form of Church government which authorizes a Presbytery, 
"in extraordinary cases," to ordain to the ministry with- 
out a regular course of theological study. 

After his ordination he preached to Churches in Abbe- 
ville and Anderson Counties, until April, 1873, when he 
was appointed Evangelist of the Presbytery of South Caro- 
lina, then embracing eight Counties within its bounds. He 
continued in this work until 1874. In May of that year 
he accepted an invitation to supply the pulpit of Aveleigh 
Church, at Newberry. During the summer of 1874, he re- 
ceived a call lo the pastorate of Aveleigh Church, and in 
October following was installed into that office. He re- 
signed his pastorate and left Newberry in October 1885. 



164 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

He is now residing with his son, the Rev, James Y. Fair, at 
Richmond, Va. His health which was quite feeble when 
he left Newberry, does not permit him to engage in active 
ministerial work. 

Mr. Fair inherited many of the sterling and noble 
features of the characters of his ancestors. He is a faithful, 
conscientious, preacher ; who in looking back over the 
eleven years of his ministry in Newberry, may well say : 
" I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of 
God." He does not indulge in mere oratorical displays, or 
flights of the imagination. His style of preaching is sinajDle, 
earnest, and scriptural ; he clings closely to the Bible and 
draws his arguments and illustrations chiefly from that 
book. He is highly esteemed for the purity and upright- 
ness of his character. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES— CHIEF JUSTICE O'NEALL — 
CHANCELLOR JOHNSTONE— CHANCELLOR CALDWELL. 



"A Biography sketched in outline is often more true and more use- 
ful than one which occupies itself with minute detail. We do not in 
reality know more of a great man because we happen to know the 
petty circumstances which made up his daily existence, or because a 
mistaken admiration has handed dowii to posterity the promiscuous 
common places of his ordinary correspondence. We know a man 
truly when we know him at his greatest and his best ; we realize his 
significance for ourselves and for the world when we see him in the 
noblest activity of his career, on the loftiest summit, and in the full- 
est glory of his life."— Canon Farrak— Life and Woj-k of St. Paul. 



CHIEF JUSTICE O'NEALL. 

JOHN BELTON O'NEALL was born on the 10th of 
April, 1793, near Bobo's Mills, on Bush River, in New- 
berry District, S C. 

He was the son of Hugh O'Neall and Anne O'Neall; both 
of his parents were members of the Society of Friends. His 
ancestors, both paternal and maternal, were Irish. His pa- 
ternal great-grandfather belonged to the ancient House of 
O'Neall, of Shanes Castle, Antrim, Ireland. His maternal 
grandfather, Samuel Kelly, was of Kings County, and his 
grandmother, Hannah Belton, was of Queen's County, 
Ireland. 

When he was five years of age, he was sent to a school 
about one and a half miles from his father's house, taught 
by James Howe, who was familiarly called " Master Howe." 



166 Re inini scene es of Newberry. 

How long he attended this school is not known, but he at- 
tended long enough to acquire a love for reading, in which 
he was encouraged by the teacher, who had a small library 
of good books. 

In 1804 a Library Society, of which young O'XealPs 
father was a member, was formed in Newberry, and a good 
librar;y of several hundred volumes were selected and pur- 
chased in Boston for the Society, by Elijah Hammond, the 
father of Governor Hammond. Free access to this library 
aflbrded young O'Neall opportunities for reading which he 
diligently improved. 

In 1808 he entered the Newberry Academ3^ which he 
continued to attend for several years, first under the tuition 
of Rev. John Foster, and afterwards under that of Rev. 
Charles Strong. In February, 1811, he entered the South 
Carolina College, and in December, 1S12, was graduated 
from that institution with the second honor. In 1813, he 
taught for six months in the Newberry Academy. At the 
end of that time he entered the office of John Caldwell, 
Esq., at Newberry, and began the study of law. While 
pursuing his law studies he received much valuable instruc- 
tion from Anderson Crenshaw, Esq., (afterwards a Judge in 
Alabama,) who then practiced law in Newberry. In May, 
181-1, he was admitted to the practice of law and equity, 
and entered into a partnership with John Caldwell, Esq., 
who, at that time, resided in Columbia, S. C. CNeall 
opened an office in Newberry, and was soon honored with 
a large practice. 

In 181(), he was elected a member of the House of Repre- 
sentatives of South Carolina, from Newberry District At 
the December session of 1817 he voted for an increase cf the 
Judge's salaries. The consequence was that at the elections 
of 1818 and 1820 he was left at home. This period of rest 



Heminiscences of Newberry. 167 

from political pursuits he afterwards regarded as more of a 
benefit than a misfortune, as it enabled him to devote 
more time to the law, thereby increasing both his business 
and hi^ reputation. 

On the 25th of June, 1818, he was married to Helen, eldest 
, daughter of Capt. Sampson Pope, of Edgefield District. In 
1820, he removea to " Springfield," (about two miles west 
of the town of Newberry,) which he had inherited from 
his grandmother, Hannah Kelly, where he continued to 
reside until his death. His wife survived him several years, 
and remained at Springfield until the close of her life. 
Since the death of Mrs. O'Neall the property has passed out 
of the possession of the family, and the old family resi- 
dence, so long associated in the minds of the people of 
Newberry with the name of the distinguished Chief Jus- 
tice, has been destroyed by fire. 

In 1822 Judge O'Neall was again returned to the House 
of Representatives, and continued to be a member of that 
body until the close of the session of lo27. 

At the sessions of 1824 and 1826 he was elected Speaker 
of the House without opposition. In this office he first dis- 
played that remarkable executive ability for which he was 
so distinguished ever after. During the four years in which 
he held the office of Speaker, only one appeal was made 
from his decisions, and on that occasion his decision was 
sustained by the House. 

At the session of 1827, the Legislature of S. C, made an 
appropriation of ten thousand dollars for the relief of Mrs. 
Randolph, the daughter of Thomas Jefferson. The Speaker 
did not vote but was known to be in favor of the measure. 
In consequence of this, in 1828, a majority of the voters of 
Newberry District refused to vote for his return to the 
Legislature. 



168 Reminiscences of Neirberry. 

In thus expressing their disapprobation of an act of their 
Representative, which at most could only have been con- 
sidered a mistake of judgment — for no one doubted his 
patriotism or integrity — a majority of his constituents 
seemed to loose sight of the honor which had been con- 
ferred upon him, and through him upon the District he, 
represented ; by his elevation to the Speaker's chair, and of 
the additional honor which awaited him if he had been 
sent back to the Legislature ; for that body would un- 
doubtedly have testified again, its appreciation of his 
talents and great executive skill by calling him to preside 
over its deliberations. 

On the 20th of December, 1828, he was elected an Asso- 
ciate Judge. This office he continued to fill until December 
1830, when he was elected a Judge of the Court of Appeals. 

In 1834, in the midst of the Nullification agitation, he de- 
livered an opinion in the celebrated cases of The State 
ex-relatlone McCrady vs. Hunt, and McDaniel vs. McMeekin, 
in which he decided that the oath of allegiance to officers of 
the Militia prescribed by the Legislature, (Act of 1833), was 
unconstitutional and inconsistent with the allegiance of the 
citizen to the Federal Government. 

In order that the reader may understand the significance 
of the opinion just mentioned, I will give a short history of 
the events which led to it. 

The Legislature of South Carolina, at an extra session on 
the 26th of October, 1832, passed an Act to provide for the 
call of a Convention of the people of the State. A Conven- 
tion accordingly assembled at Columbia in November 
following, and passed an Ordinance, "To Nullify certain 
Acts of the Congress of the United States, purporting to be 
laws laying duties and imports on the importation of 
foreign commodities." Congress having afterwards, by an 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 169 

Act, provided for " such a reductiou and modification of 
the duties on foreign imports, as ultimately to reduce them 
to the revenue standard," the Convention again assembled 
in March 1833, and repealed its Ordinance of November 
preceding; but at the same time passed an Ordinance "to 
Nullity an Act of the Congress of the 1-nited States, en- 
titled : An Act further to provide for tlie collection of duties 
on imports ; commonly called the Force Bill." A separate 
Clause of the Ordinance is iu the following words : 

" We do further Ordain and Declare, That the allegiance 
of the citizens of this State, while they continue such, is 
due to the said State ; and that obedience only and not al- 
legiance, is due by them to any other power or authority, to 
whom a control over them has been or may be delegated by 
the State ; and the General Assembly of the said State is 
hereby empowered from time to time, when they may 
deem it proper, to provide for the administration to the 
citizens and officers of the State, or such of said officers as 
they may think fit, of suitable oaths or affirmations, bind- 
ing them to the observance of such allegiance and abjuring 
all other allegiance, and also to define what shall amount 
to a violation of their allegiance, and to provide the proper 
punishment for such violation." 

By an Act of the Legislature of December, 1833, entitled 
" An Act to provide for the military organizations of the 
State," it was among other things enacted, that ' In addition 
to the oaths now required by law, every officer of the militia 
hereafter elected, shall before he enters on the duties of his 
office, take and subscribed before some person authorized by 
law to administer oaths, the following oath : I, A. B., do 
solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be), that I will 
be faithful, and true allegiance bear to the State of South 
Carolina." 



170 Reminiscences of Neicberry. 

On the 28th of February, 1834, Edward McCrady was 
elected Lieutenant of the Washington Light Infantry of 
Charleston, and applied to Col. Hunt the Commanding of- 
ficer of the Regiment for his commission. Col. Hunt refused 
to grant it unless lie would take the above oath. This 
McCrady refused to do, but tendered the oath prescribed in 
the Constitution of the State, and applied to Mr. Justice Bay 
for a rule to show cause why a writ of mandamus should not 
issue, commanding the defendant Hunt to deliver to the 
relator his commission. 

Judge Bay on hearing the case, sustained Col. Hunt, and 
dismissed the motion for the mandamus. McCrady the 
relator appealed from this decision. 

One James McDaniel had also been elected Colonel of the 
27th Regiment of Militia, and had applied for a commission 
to Genl, McMeekin commanding the Brigade, who tendered 
him the oath required by the Military Act of 1833, and on 
his refusal to take it, refused to grant the commission. 
McDaniel therefore obtained a rule to show cause why a 
mandamus should not issue. The case was heard at Lan- 
caster, Spring Term, 1834, before Judge Richardson, who 
held that the oath required by the Act was unconstitutional. 
The defendant appealed. 

Both cases depending on the same principles and making 
the same questions, were carried up to the Appeal Court 
together. 

After hearing able arguments by some of the most distin- 
guished counsel in the State, and mature deliberation, the 
Court consisting of Judges David Johnson, (President), John 
Belton O'Neall and William Harper, — each of whom filed a 
separate opinion — decided that the oath of allegiance to 
officers of the militia prescribed by the Act of 1833, was un- 
constitutional and void— Judge Johnson holding that the 



Remhmcences of Newberry. 171 

State Constitution (Article 4), having prescribed the form of 
the oath of office, tlie Legislature had no authority to change, 
add to, or alter it ; and Judge O'Neall as already noticed, 
that the oath was contrary to the Constitution of the State, 
and inconsistent with the allegiance of the citizen to the Fed- 
eral Ooverninent. Judge Harper dissenting, held that it was 
neither repugnant to the Constitution of the State, nor in- 
consistent with any obligation of the citizen to the Federal 
Government. 

In his report of these cases, the reporter Mr. Hill, makes 
the following foot note : 

"Since this decision, the 4th Article of the Constitution 
of this State has been amended to read as follows, viz. . 
* Every person who shall be chosen or appointed to any of- 
fice of profit or trust, before entering on the execution thereof, 
shall take the following oath : I do solemnly swear (or af- 
firm) that I will be faithful, and true allegiance bear to the 
State of South Carolina, so long as I may continue a citizen 
thereof; and that I am duly qualified, according to the Con- 
stitution of this State, to exercise the office to which I have 
been appointed ; and that I will to the best of my abilities, 
discharge the duties thereof, and preserve, protect and de- 
fend the Constitution of this State and of the United States. 
So help me God.' .Judge Harper's opfnion being in favor of 
the constitutionality of the oath even previous to the amend- 
ment, and Judge Johnson, in the conclusion of his opinion 
having said, that ' if the people should think fit so to amend 
the Constitution (of this State), as to authorize the adminis- 
tration of an oath of allegiance in the form prescribed by the 
Act of the Legislature of the last Session, there is nothing 
in the Constitution of the United States opposed to it;' the 
constitutional obligation of the oath of allegiance as now 
incorj)orated in the Constitution of this State, may be 



172 Reminiscences of Neivherry. 

regarded as having the sanction of a majority of the 
Court." 

The report of these cases, including the complete argu- 
ments of all the counsel (with one exception), who appeared 
before the Court, can be found in the 2d volunne of Hill's 
S. C. Law Reports, and constitutes a very interesting part 
of the political and legal history of South Carolina. 

The decision of the Court, especially the opinion of Judge 
O'Neall, greatly increased the prevailing political excite- 
ment, and so displeased the dominant political party that 
at the Session of the Legislature in 1835, the Court of Ap- 
peals as it then existed was abolished, and an Appeal Bench 
consisting of all the Circuit Judges and Chancellors was es- 
tablished in its stead. Judge O'Neall was assigaed to the 
Law Bench, and Judges Johnson and Harper to the Equity 
Bench. This arrangement, with some changes made in 
1836, continued until 1859. 

Judge O'Neall continued to discharge the duties of Law 
Judge from 1835 to 1859. The Legislature having at its ses- 
sion of 1859 again created a separate Court of Appeals, to 
consist of a Chief Justice and two Associate Justices, he was 
elected Chief Justice, with Chancellors Job Johnstone and 
F. H. Wardlaw as Associate Justices. In this office he re- 
mained until his death. 

At the time of his election to the office of Chief Justice, 
Judge O'Neall had nearly completed his '' three score years 
and ten," but the vigor of his mind was unimpaired, and 
his physical health almost perfect. 

We have seen that on two occasions during his career as a 
member of the Legislature, Judge O'Neall had incurred the 
censure of a majority of his constituents, and that on a 
memorable occasion his independence and boldness had 
cost the life of the Court of which he was a member. Yet 



Beudniscences of Newberry. 173 

the people did not long remember these things against him. 
And his election to the office of Chief Justice affords the 
strongest proof of their appreciation of his ability, and hon- 
esty, and his long and faithful public services. 

One of the most discriminating estimates of his character 
ever published, appeared in the Columbia South Carolinian 
just after his death, from which I make the following ex- 
tract : 

" The Chief Justice of South Carolina has been gathered 
to his fathers, full of years and honors. The State has reason 
to hold his memory in grateful remembrance. Prompt to 
engage in every useful work, all the energies of his vigorous 
intellect were devoted to the discharge of his duties, whether 
in public or private life. He courted labor, and shrank from 
no task which duty demanded. 

"Judge O'NealPs talents were of high order. If he was 
not irrlmus interpares, yet, his great success in life, from 
early manhood to the close of his career, demonstrates the 
vigor of his intellect, his untiring industry and his devo- 
tion to duty ; the more especially when it is remembered 
that this eminence was attained amidst the severest com- 
petition with the ablest men of a brilliant age. His mind 
was marked by this pecculiarity, that he arrived at his 
conclusions with extraordinary rapidity, however com- 
plicated the question. The moment a proposition was dis- 
tinctly stated, his judgment was formed, almost always 
right, and rarely shaken when wrong by the most elaborate 
argument. In this prompt judgment, he resembled those 
rare individuals of whom it is related that such was their 
remarkable aptitude for mathematics that they were able 
to announce the result of a great array of figures at a glance, 
without apparently pausing to compute their values. It 
seemed to be rather an intuitive process than the exercise 



174 Reminiscences of Xevherry. 

of the reasoning faculty. His apprehension was quick, 
and his determined will carried itself into all his intel- 
lectual processes. His convictions were so absolute and his 
temperament so nervous, that it may be inferred that he 
was somewhat impatient of any difference of opinion. He 
was a successful lawyer an admirable spealver of the House 
of Representatives, an able and upright Judge, who dis- 
patched business with a facility without a parallel" 

Judge O'Xeall was deeplj'^ interested in every enterprise 
which had for its object the development of the physical 
resources of the country, or the elevation and improvement 
of the moral and intellectual condition of the people. He 
was the first President of the Greenville and Columbia 
Railroad Company, and to his enthusiasm and indomitable 
perseverence the completion of that enterprise was largely 
due. He was for many years the President of a flourishing 
Agricultural Society in Newberry. 

In 1833 he joined a temperance society at Head Spring 
Church, in Newberry District, of which he afterwards be- 
came the president. From that time until his death he was 
an earnest and untiring advocate of total abstinence from 
all intoxicating drinks. He filled, at different times, the 
highest positions in the various temperance organizations 
of the day both State and National, and made innumera- 
ble temperance addresses. He also delivered many ad- 
dresses on education, agriculture and other subjects, and be- 
fore the celebration of the " Fourth of July " fell into disuse 
he was often called upon to deliver orations on that day. 

He was regarded — especially in his early and middle life 
—as one of the great orators of the State. His elocution 
was not ornate, but earnest and impetuous, sometimes bois- 
terous. His speeches were generally somewhat disjointed, 
and showed a lack of painstaking preparation, but such 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 1 75 

was the fervor of his eloquence that, like a torrent, it swept 
everything before it. His commanding presence, his clear, 
ringing voice, and his earnestness of manner, combined to 
make him a speaker of unusual power. His attitudes and 
gestures, though entirely unstudied, were easy and striking. 

In his early manhood he was enthusiastically fond of the 
military, and passed through all the gradations of office in 
the militia from captain up to that of major-general. 

In 1859 he published " The Annals of Newberry " and 
"The Bench and Bar of South Carolina." 

These works, valuable when published, will become more 
so, as time elapses. They contain a record of information 
gathered mostly from the treasures of his wonderful mem- 
ory, which can be found nowhere else. It is to be regretted, 
however, that he did not pay more attention to the 
graces of style in their preparation. 

Judge O'Neall's reading did not greatly extend beyond 
his profession. His professional and other duties left him 
very little time for general reading, for recreation, or for 
social intercourse with his friends. He was one of the busi- 
est of busy men. He delighted most in history, books of 
travel and biographies — especially those of celebrated gen- 
erals. He never lost his taste for military life. His speeches 
were frequently illustrated by scenes from the lives of his 
favorite military heroes. 

Judge O'Neall was elected a Deacon of the Newberry 
Baptist Church on the 22d of March, 1834, having united 
with that Church on the 26th of January, 1833. He contin- 
ued in the office of Deacon until his dteath, which occurred 
on the 27th of December, 1863. 

Judge O'Neall was remarkable for his amiable disposition 
and christian humility. The humblest persons could ap- 
proach him without apprehension. He was the friend of 



176 Reminiscences of Neirberry. 

the widow and the orphan, and was at all times ready to 
encourage by counsel and substantial aid young men with 
laudable ambition, struggling against the ills of poverty 
and those in maturer life who were oppressed by misfortune 
and disappointments He was constantly exposed to de- 
niands upon his well-known liberality ; and it is not too 
much to say that he expended a moderate fortune in re- 
sponding to such appeals. 

CHANCELLOR JOB JOHNSTOXE. 

[Authority for that portion of the following sketch which relates to 
the birth, parentage, education and professional life of Chancellor 
Johnstone, is chiefly derived from a brief biography (in manuscript) 
of him found among his papers after his death, a copy of which was 
kindly placed in my hands by his son, Silas Johnstone, Esquire. The 
author of the manuscript is unknown.] 

Chancellor Job Johnstone, was born on the 7th of 
June, 1793, in Fairfield County, South Carolina, about three 
miles below Winn's Bridge, on Little River. Both his pa- 
rents were Scotch-Irisli. They were born and married in 
the County of Londonderry, Ireland. Emigrating to South 
Carolina, they landed at Charleston on the 4th of Septem- 
ber, 1787, and proceeded immediately to Fairfield. 

John Johnstone the father of the Chancellor, was one of 
nine sons of David Johnstone, and Sarah Meek, his wife. 
The family was honest and respectable, and of the class of 
small farmers. Though originally Scotch, they had been 
settled in Ireland as early as the contest between William 
of Orange and his father-in-law, James II. Being Presby- 
terians, they took sides with William, and a sword is still 
in the family, in this country, which was worn by Thomas 
Boyd, the maternal grandfather of David Johnstone at the 
siege of Londonderry. His mother (the wife of John John- 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 177 

stone) was Mary Caldwell, the daughter of Job Caldwell, of 
the County of Londonderry, Ireland, from whom his own 
Christian name i^^Job) was derived. The family of Cald- 
well to which Mrs. Johnstone belonged, came originally 
from Scotland. 

The Caldwells were a most respectable family Portions 
of them emigrated to Pennsylvania as early as 1700-1710, 
from which, by successive removals, numerous branches be- 
came scattered over Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky 
and Tennessee. Hon. John C Calhoun's mother was one 
of the Virginia branch. 

Mrs. Johnstone, the mother of the Chancellor, was well 
educated. Her mind, which was of no ordinary stamp, had a 
particular tendency to arithmetical calculations, in which she 
was very expert ; and it is remembered that it was her con- 
stant habit to run out difficult questions of this description 
by a merely mental process ; and often to attain the results 
in advance of her children, who happened to be working 
out their lessons by the ordinary methods. 

Her husband, John Johnstone, though not so well educa- 
ted, possessed an uncommonly strong mind He had 
judgment, wit and an unusual command of language, and 
being of a cheerful temper, amounting to gaiety, his social 
qualities were quite attractive. These two parents, who were 
successful in life, used all opportunities within their reach, 
for the intellectual as well as the moral and religious train- 
ing of their children. All persons possessed of attainments 
were made welcome to their home, and thus at the fireside 
and the hearth, their rising offspring were given the advan- 
tages of oral instruction, administered in a way to make it 
impressive. They were taught to be attentive listeners, and 
in the course of conversations, sometimes practical, some- 
times speculative, sometimes spiced with wit or seasoned 
12 



178 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

with humor, and sometimes mellowed with sentimeut, or 
chastened with the grave and more awe-inspiring truths of 
religion and its obligations, they caught much that no vicis- 
situde in after life could deprive them of. When no com- 
pany was in the house, or when the company was such as 
permitted its being done, the invariable habit of each even- 
ing was for some one of the family to read some instructive 
or entertaining book, while the rest listened, and to inter- 
sperse tbe exercise with pertinent inquiries and replies for 
the better understanding of the author. 

The primary schools of that time were not good, but his 
father used his influence to procure the best teachers that 
could be had, and placed his children at school, as soon as 
they were able to go. His rule was to obtain the friendship 
of the teacher and to support his authority. The effect was 
that his children w^ere always among the most obedient in 
the school, and were seldom the subjects of coercive disci- 
pline. 

In 1799 his father removed to Chester. From that time 
until 1806, he continued to attend school either at Chester or 
Winnsboro. In the fall of 180G, his father having removed 
to Newberry, be was taken to that village and placed under 
the Rev. John Foster, who taught a classical school there. 
Mr. Foster was an indolent man, a poor scholar, and a sorry 
teacher. After remaining under his care until the end of 
1808, he (Johnstone) entered the Junior Class of the South 
Carolina College. The class was a good one, containing such 
names as Dellet, Bull, Starke, Warren R. Davis and others, 
and though the youngest boy in it and spoiled by the idle- 
ness of Foster's school, he in a short time placed himself on 
a level with the best of them. But his attention was rather 
directed to general reading — and that without aim or sys- 
tem—than to the text books and the regular course of 



Reminiscences of Neuherry. 179 

studies. This habit of desultory reading he had acquired— 
or rather confirmed, for he was always, even in childhood, a 
great reader in that way— while at Foster's school. 

There was a library of some 400 or oOO volumes belonging 
to a library society and kept in the office of the Clerk of the 
Court at Newberry. Mr. Y. J. Harrington, the clerk, hav- 
ing found that this lad was fond of reading, and that he took 
good care of books, with a benevolence and judgment worthy 
of the man, gave him free access to the library, and there he 
spent every spare moment. 

The same habit, as has been said, followed him to College. 
But still at his graduation in December, ISIO, he took the 
third honor in a class of about forty-five in number, and 
was at the time— with two exceptions — the youngest boy 
that had ever taken a diploma in the South Carolina 
College. 

In the spring of 1811, he entered the office ot Mr. John 
Hooker, one of the best lawyers in the State, at York, as a 
student-at-law, or rather as he has been heard to say ; he 
entered his name in the office. He had some associates who 
J were fund of hunting, and he hunted with them, He read 
novels and smoked cigars, and at the end of the year had 
not finished the first volume of Blackstone, Becoming dis- 
couraged he went the next year into the office of Mr. Clark, 
at Winnsboro But there he was equally idle. When the 
4th of July came— as he sometimes observed—he delivered a 
speech to a company of artillery, and two companies of 
cavalry, and having done that much in the year, he 
declared his independence and quit. 

His father having purchased and removed to a body of 
valuable land in Fairfield, he went home and spent two 
years in general reading. His morals were irreproachable, 
his character was good, and he had a general reputation for 



180 Reminiscences of Nev:herry. 

talents and acquirements. But no man can be idle and 
happy. Equally impossible is it for him to retain his own 
self-respect and remain a drone. Happily for this young 
man, his conscience troubled him, and drove him from his 
pernicious inactivity. 

After spending a short time in Columbia as the deputy of 
Jklr. Brown, the Secretary of State, he resolved to try an 
entirely new profession, and entered the office of Dr. 
Davis, then an eminent physician of Columbia. This was 
in the close of 1814. Here he read diligently, and in 
October 1815, went to New^ York, and took a course of 
lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of that 
city. The next year, he still pursued his studies with dili- 
gence and obtained a very general reputation for his ac- 
quaintance with the theory" of his proposed profession. In 
1817, he came to Newberry with a view to entering upon 
the life of a physician ; but fearing to encounter the 
practice, he was induced in a short time to abandon the 
design. 

In the fall of 1817, he renewed the study of law, and in 
the winter of 1818, was admitted to the Courts of Law and 
Equity, and at once entered into partnership with John 
Belton O'Neall, with whom he had studied. His progress 
in his profession was not rapid, but it was sure. He was 
esteemed an excellent lawyer, and argued his cases with 
ability and generally with success. He was never known 
to mislead a client by flattering advice ; but gave a true 
representation, according to his sincere conceptions of the 
case ; and it was never known that a client who had tried 
him deserted him. In the preparation of his business he 
was diligent and skillful, and such was his care and skill in 
pleadings that he was never non-suited at law for inac- 
curacy in pleading, but once, and in that instance, the 



Reminiscences of Newberry, 181 

pleading had been put in, in his absence by another person. 
Nor was any bill ever tiled by him dismissed for insutRci- 
ency. 

As an advocate, he had no pretensions to mere oratory. 
His style of address was earnest, fervent and argumenta- 
tive, in cases demanding exertion. In the management of 
intricate causes, he showed uncommon skill, and his man- 
ner of unfolding the claims of his client when he came to 
the argument was marked for clearness of method, pre- 
cision of statement both as to law and fact, and for chaste- 
ness and perspicuity of language. He devoted himself ex- 
clusively to his profession. He was never a candidate for 
military office, nor for the Legislature, but gave his undi- 
vided energies to the Courts and the interest of his clients. 

In 1826, he was elected Clerk of the Senate of South Caro- 
lina ; an office, the duties of which he continued to dis- 
charge until the 3rd of November, 1830, when he was 
elected Chancellor in place of Chancellor Harper, who was 
transferred to^the Court of Appeals. His colleague in office 
was the venerable Chancellor DeSaussure. 

The practice of the Court had been extremely loose and 
imperfect, and he set himself to reform it. As in all such 
cases, he was misunderstood or misrepresented by that part 
of the profession whose indolence was disturbed by the 
strictness of his discipline. But he conceived that the 
rights of the suitors were involved ; and he persevered 
until he accomplished, at least to a great degree the reforma- 
tion he designed. 

When he came to the Bench his duties were confined to 
the Circuit Courts. In 1835, all the Judges and Chancellors 
were constituted an Appellate Court, both in law and 
equity. This system lasted but one year ; and in 1836. the 
Chancellors — increased to four— were required in addition 



182 Reminiscences of Nevberry. 

to their Circuit duties, to i)erform appellate duty— except in 
specified cases— only in equity. 

Chancellor Johnstone's powers of argumentation were 
proved in the case of Picket I's. Picket, (2d Hill, Ch.470). 
This case was brought before the whole of the Judges and 
Chancellors by appeal from his circuit decree. By the 
structure of the Court at the time he was not permitted to 
sit upon the appeal. On a conference the majority' of the 
Court were for reversing the decree. At the request of the 
minority, Chancellor Johnstone wrote a dissenting opinion 
for them. After the majority delivered their opinion by 
Chancellor Harper, the dissenting opinion was read ; and 
its effect was to change the judgment of the Court. It was 
adopted by the major part of the Judges and became the 
law of the case, and what had been intended as the leading 
opinion became the dissenting opinion. 

Another instance alike creditable to him occurred in 
Field vs. Pelot, (McMul, Eq., 369). That was an appeal 
from Chancellor Harper. Upon conference after argument. 
Chancellor Johnstone brought the Court, and among them, 
Chancellor Harper, to agree to a reversal of the decree ; and 
the case was put into his (Johnstone's) hands to deliver 
the opinion of the Court. In preparing to deliver it, he be- 
came convinced that his positions were untenable, and he 
brought the matter to the view of his brethren. But he 
could not bring them over. Chancellor Harper was chosen 
to deliver the opinion, which his brother Johnstone was to 
have deliv^ered. Johnstone dissented and his dissenting 
opinion has been since adopted as the law of the case. 
Here was a remarkable specimen of Judicial candor in both 
the Judges named. 

At the organization of the separate Court of Appeals, 
(under the Act of the Legislature of December 1859), Chan- 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 183 

cellor Johnstone was elected an Associate Justice of that 
(.'ourt, and continued in that office until his death. 

Other decisions of Chancellor Jonnstone's might be re- 
ferred to, but the scope of this sketch will not admit of it. 
Indeed it is not necessary. His published decrees and 
opinions are everywhere recognized as an important part 
of the judicial history of South Carolina, and they will ever 
stand as a monument to his honesty, ability, and great pro- 
fessional learning. He was almost divested of pride of 
opinion. His statement of causes carried uj) by appeal 
from his decisions was full and clear ; affording full oppor- 
tunity to the appellant to detect whatever errors might 
have existed in his judgment. There was no superficial 
statement or covering over of the facts, but a full and even 
minute disclosure of every particular, so that the legal in- 
ferences might be subjected to the severest scrutiny. And 
he often joined in the reversal of his circuit opinions. 

He was spontaneously elected a member of the celebrated 
Convention of 1832, and being on a Committee with Chan- 
cellor Harper, drew the Ordinance of Nullification reported 
by that gentleman and adopted by the Convention. He 
also drew and proposed the Ordinance or Allegiance ; but 
owing to the Convention being too much divided to render 
its passage expedient, in his judgment, he voted against it. 
It was however carried. 

Chancellor Johnstone's habits were simple. He was 
naturally retiring and diffident. Shrinking from publicity 
he confined himself to the performance of his duties, and to 
a limited social circle. 

He was an extensive planter and an experienced pomolo- 
gist and horticulturist. When at home, he devoted nmch 
of the time set apart for recreation to overlooking the culti- 
vation of his orchard and garden. Through a system of 



184: Reminiscences of Newberry. 

thorough trenching, he had brought his garden into an ex- 
traordinary condition of fertility. It was pleasant, and 
refreshing to look upon its luxuriant growth of plants His 
table was never without an abundant supply of vegetables 
and fruits in their season. 

My intimate acquaintance, with Chancellor Johnstone 
began rather late in his life, I soon learned however, to ap- 
proach him without hesitation and was always kindly re- 
ceived by him. I found him especially interested in the 
welfare of young men, and can never forget his willingness 
to impart instruction and advice, from the rich stores of his 
accumulated knowledge and experience, nor the delicacy 
and tact with which he did it. He was in a broad and 
comprehensive sense an educated man. In addition to the 
law of which he was master, his researchess in other de- 
partments of human knowledge were varied and extensive. 
No one could listen to him without being impressed by the 
thoroughness and accuracy of his information on general 
subjects, and his practical acquaintance with the common 
affairs and occupations of life. 

His reading— in addition to the law, and medicine— em- 
braced the Latin and Greek Classics, science, theology, 
history, poetry, and about all that was worth reading in 
English light literature, from Fielding and Smolletdown to 
Dickens and Thackaray. He especially admired Sir Walter 
Scott, and in common with all lovers of genuine literature 
regarded him as the prince of all novel writers. He had 
a high appreciation of humor, and especially treasured up 
and enjoyed the humor of Dickens and Burns. In social 
intercourse he was affable and engaging ; he had the happy 
faculty of pleasing and interesting every one with whom 
he conversed, and was peculiarly gifted in drawing others 
out. In the language of another : " No man ever left his 



Reminiscences of Nevherry. 185 

house without being a wiser man than when he entered it, 
and had to confess that there had been drawn out of himself 
more knowledge than he could have believed was lying 
dormant within him." 

Chancellor Johnstone was twice married. His fir^t wife, 
to whom he was married on the 14th of November, 1816, was 
Miss Eliza Meek Johnstone of Fairfield County. She died 
on the 23rd of Janu iry, 1848. His second wife, who survived 
him and died on the ;>rd of December, 1870, was Miss Amelia 
De'Walt of Newberry, to whom he was married on the 7th 
of August, 1844. 

He was at the time of his death,— and had been for many 
years before — a mernber and Ruling Elder in the Aveleigh 
Presbyterian Church of Newberry. He died on the 8th of 
April, 1862. His benefactions during his life were liberal, 
and in bestowing them he observed the Scripture injunction, 
" Let not your left hand know what your right hand doeth." 

CHANCELLOR JAMES J. CALDWELL. 

Chancellor James J. Caldwell was born on the loth of 
January, 175)9, within a few miles of Cannon Creek Church, 
in Newberry County. His father Dan (not Daniel) Caldwell 
was a farmer, a younger son of John Caldwell who emi- 
grated from County Antrim, Ireland, in 1770 or 1771. 

Dan Caldwell was born in 1769. The chancellor's mother's 
maiden name was Jeannette McMaster. None of her name 
have lived in Newberry for many years past ; and it seems 
that none of her near relatives live even in Fairfield County, 
where most of them appear to have settled. Dan Caldwell 
was a member and elder in the Associate Reformed Presby- 
terian Church, and a man of exemplary piety. Judge 
O'Neall speaks of him in his." Annals of Newberry," as "a 
man without spot." 



186 Reminiscences of Netvberry. 

Chancellor Caldwell often spoke of the careful religious 
training he received from his father, and of the frequency 
with which the latter, during their walks through the fields 
amd woods, knelt down and prayed for him, his only son. 
Though the father died when the son had just entered his 
eighteenth year, it is propable that the religious character 
of the son was largely formed by such training and example. 
His father and mother both died in January, 1816, 

Chancellor Caldwell received his school education princi- 
pally at the .Mount Bethel Academy in Newberry County — 
then an excellent and celebrated school. He studied also 
for a time at Newberry Court House. He entered the junior 
class of the South Carolina College in December 1815, and 
graduated in December 1817, taking high honors among 
such men as Senator A. P. Bulter, William McWillie (after- 
wards Governor of Mississippi), Judge Thoma^s, W. Glover, 
Solicitor Alexander A.M. McTver, Robert Dunlap and others 
of distinction. He taught school the year after his gradua- 
tion at Edgefield Court House. Among his pupils there, 
were Professor LaBorde and Chancellor Carroll. He studied 
law with Judge O'Neall, and was admitted to the Bar in 
1820. He at once entered the practice at Newberry Court 
House. He married Miss Nancy McMorries, eldest daughter 
of James McMorries, of Laurens County, in 1825 or 1826. He 
remained and continued to practice law in Newberry until 
the autumn of 1843, when he removed to Columbia, S. C. 
He at first had little taste for the practice of law ; indeed it 
is said, that for several years he found great difficulty in 
forcing himself to comply with the requirements of the pro- 
fession, ^ome of his friends have expressed the opinion, 
that it is quite probable, it would have been better for him 
if he had yielded to his inclinations ; for successful as he was 
at the Bar and on the Bench, his talents lay decidedly more 



Reminiscences of Neivherry. 187 

in the line of literature and military science, than in that of 
the law. He applied liimself however, most laboriously to 
the study of his profession in all its details 

Mr. John S. Carwile, who probably witnessed the trial of 
every important cause in the Courts of Common Pleas and 
•General Sessions for Newberry, from 1820 to 1850, had great 
admiration and sincere friendship for Chancellor Caldwell 
I have often heard him speak of his first appearance at the 
Bar, and how — with some misgivings, at first, as to his suc- 
cess—he (Mr. Carwile) saw him, gradually but steadily, over- 
come all obstacles and develop into one of the ablest law- 
yers and most successful solicitors he had ever known 

He was an ardent friend of the militia system, and ad- 
vanced through its grades of otfice to that of Brigadier Gen- 
eral of Infantry. He was greatly chagrined by his failure 
to secure a Colonelcy of a regiment in the Seminole war in 
Florida. 

He was first elected to the State Legislature in 1830. He 
was a candidate before that, but was defeated, it has been 
generally conceded, on account of his refusal to treat voters 
to liquor. He was not a total abstainer, nor was he ever a 
member of any temperance organization, but he resolutely op- 
posed the then almost universal custom of setting out free 
drinks at musters, barbecues and other occasions of public 
assemblings, as injurious in its immediate effects on the 
voter and dangerous in its tendencies. It w^as predicted 
that he would fail in his encounter with so time honored a 
custom. And he did ; for he came out at the foot of the 
list of candidates. He persisted, however, in opposing the 
pernicious practice, and at the next election headed the 
ticket. He continued a member of the House of Repre- 
sentatives until December, 1835, when he was elected So- 
licitor of the Southwestern Circuit, consisting of the Dis- 



188 Heminiscences of Newberry. 

tricts of Abbeville, Newberry, Edgefield and Lexington. 
Under the Act of 1842 the arrangement of Circuits was 
changed, and he was allotted to the MiddleCircuit, embrac- 
ing the Districts of Newberry, Lexington, Richland, Ker- 
shaw and Sumter. He continued in this office until his 
election to the Chancery Bench in December 1816. He re- 
mained upon the Chancery Bench until his death, which 
occurred on the 11th of March, 1850. 

His term of three years was too short to fully develop his 
capacity as a Chancellor ; and he was subjected to very tr^^- 
ing comparison by being placed by the side of Chancellors 
Harper, Job Johnstone and Duncan, each of whom had al- 
ready had many years of experience on the Bench ; but his 
decrees were seldom overruled by the Ccnu-t of Appeals, and 
he delivered several of the most important opinions ema- 
nating from the Court of Appeals in Chancery during his 
term of office. 

The difficulties under which Chancellor Caldwell labored, 
in consequence of his ill-health, w(Aild have appalled anj^ but 
the most indomitable will. He had always been very deli- 
cate, and when he went upon the Bench he was worn down 
by the unremitting toil of upwards of twenty-five years 
practice at the Bar. Yet he, with his constant feeble health, 
never lost time from his work. His estimable widow stated, 
soon after his death, that except the four last days of his 
life, he had never, from the time of their marriage, spent a 
day in bed. 

It was as Solicitor that he most distinguished himself; 
for in that office, his pains-taking in thei^ preparation of 
cases and his fluent and earnest oratory, produced the inost 
striking effects. He did not endeavor to secure convictions 
at all hazards ; on the contrary, as his successor, Col. Fair, 
used to say of him, he insisted that as the representative of 



Reminiscences of Nevberry. 189 

the State, the Solicitor must guard against persecuting any 
citizen. But once convinced of the guilt of the accused, he 
pressed the prosecution with all the zeal of his ardent tem- 
perament. 

The foUowing extract from a communication addressed to 
one of the Chancellor's sons, many years ago, by the Rev. 
Thomas Frean, of Columbia, sets forth in strong light the 
Chancellor's oratorical powers, and the thorough sympathy 
which he always felt for the unfortunate and oppressed : 

"You will often hear when you grow up much of your 
honored father's eloquence. Permit me to give you an in- 
stance of its powerful influence ; and I will do so as nearly 
as I can, in the language of my informant Mr. — Wilson of 
Union Court Hous%> 

"An action was brought for a poor widow by a member of 
the Union Bar, against the executor of her deceased hus- 
band, who had defrauded herself and her children of their 
rights. The case came on, but whether from inattention in 
the preparation, or from some other cause, the defendant 
evidently had the best of it in the trial. 

"When the widow's counsel closed, the Bench was inatten- 
tive, the Bar regardless of what was passing, and the jury 
almost nodding. Counsel felt ' it was a gone case with him,' 
and taking his seat requested your father to say something, 
as he felt he had not done justice to the case, for wind and 
tide seemed to be against him. 

"Though your father was not employed, and knew no more 
of the case than had just transpired, he arose and in five 
minutes the whole audience was listening in breathless si- 
lence. He sketched with a master hand the rapacity, the 
ingratitude and the injustice of the executor, the destitution 
and want of the poor widow and her suffering children. 
The widow drew closer and closer to him, while the big 



190 Bemlniscences of Neivbemj. 

tears rolled down her cheeks. She inv^oluntarily put her 
hand in her bosom and pulled out her little pocket book, and 
during one of her gifted advocate's bursts of eloquence in her 
favor, laid it down with hysteric sobbings before him on 
the table. The Bench was agitated, the jury moved to tears, 
and the Bar and the audience alike melted down. The 
Judge gave a strong charge for the widow, and the jury, re- 
tiring under a high state of excitement, returned in a few 
minutes with a sweeping verdict in her favor." 

Chancellor Caldwell's study was by no means confined to 
his profession. He constantly read history, biography, poet- 
ry, physical science, the Latin and Greek Classics, medi- 
cine, fiction, theology — indeed almost ev^ery kind of science 
and literature. He went so far as to stucW both French and 
Spanish, without a master, for he had no time for lessons. 
He accumulated a large and varied library, and it is proba- 
ble that he read every book he ever owned. Doctor Car- 
lisle of Wofford College, has frequently spoken of the 
copious marginal notes which he had observed in a good 
many of his books on various subjects, which he purchased 
after his death. It is scarcely an exaggeration to say, that 
he was consumed with an insatiable thirst for knowledge of 
all things knowable among men. 

He was cut down in the prime of his manhood, and just 
when fields for enlarged usefulness and opportunities for 
greater distinction seemed to be opening before him; and 
has left behind him the record of a life of earnest manly toil 
and a reputation for integrity, honor, and a just recognition 
of the rights of others, rarely if ever surpassed. 

I have obtained the following facts with reference to his 
religious views and his death, from one who knew him 
most intimately. He was not a member of any Church, but 
was from his youth thoroughly religious, and a constant 



Reminiscences of Newberry. ■ 191 

and thoughtful student of the Bible. His observance of the 
Sabbath was most strict, his reading was largely of a religious 
character ; and he disciplined his children in the Bible and 
Shorter Catechism with unflagging care and regularity. For 
the last two or three years ol his life, he was in constant 
expectation of death, and appeared at all times prepared to 
meet it. He passed away in the full possession of his facul- 
ties, conscious of the great change taking place and evincing 
that cheerful serenity which only a perfect assurance in re- 
gard to the future ever inspires. His body was buried in 
the Baptist Church Yard in Columbia, where three years 
later his devoted wife was laid beside him. 



CHAPTER XV. 



Biographical sketches continued— simeon fair — 
thomas h. pope— james 31. baxter— a. c. gar- 

LTNGTOX. 



M 



COL. SIMEON FAIR. 

Y acquaintance with Col. Fair extended over a period 
itJ. of nearly forty years. During all that time— as a lawyer, 
solicitor, member of the Legislature, and in the years just 
preceding and during the war of Secession, and in the dis- 
astrous years which followed, as a leader of the people, — he 
occupied a conspicuous position in Newberry. 

Very little is known of his early life and education. He 
was not a graduate of any college. 

Quintillian observes that "We ought at flrst to be more 
anxious in regard to our conceptions than our expressions— 
we may attend to the latter afterwards." Col. Fair always 
conceived well, but he paid too little attention to the latter 
part of Quintillian's judicious advice. He never acquired a 
free and gra3eful use of language in public speaking or in 
writing. Yet he conducted himself \vith dignity and self- 
possession everywhere. He possessed in a high degree that 
quality which modern writers call magnetism. In the 
whole course of my intercourse with him, I never found 
him dull or uninteresting. Whatever of grief or pain he 
may have felt, or however he may have been harrassed by 
the cares of life, he was always calm and cheerful, and 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 193 

never obtruded his private affairs upon the notice of his 
friends. What a useful and important lesson he taught us 
in this! 

His reading did not extend beyond his profession. His 
books were the men about him. His powers of observa- 
tion and memory were wonderful. He was a close student 
of human nature, and was familiar with the characters and 
personal history of all the prominent men of his own State, 
and of many in other States, and had treasured up in his 
memory, beyond all others, the traditions of his native 
County. 

I shall always revere the memory of Col. Fair, not only 
because he was an eminently useful and patrioiic citizen, 
but because, although a much younger man than himself, 
I was honored by his confidence and friendship. One of 
my greatest pleasures, while he lived was to drop into his 
office, when he was not at work, and listen to him as he 
unfolded the rich treasures of his memory. I hav^e often 
wished that it had been possible for some one — especially in 
the latter years of his life— to have played the part of a 
Boswell to him, and thus to have preserved a record of much 
of the history of Newberry which, I fear, passed away for- 
ever when he died. 

At the Bar Col. Fair was the most imperturbable man I 
ever knew. Nothing could throw him off his guard. He 
never betrayed his name ; he was always fair ; but like a 
skillful General he would sometimes make a feint, and lead 
his opponent into a mode of attack or defense which would 
baffle and cause him to lose his self-control, while he (Col. 
F.) would remain cool and collected, and thus secure great 
advantage of position. But he never resorted to subterfuge 
or trickery. 

Col. Fair was married on the 23d of December, 1840, to 



194 Reminiscences of Neivherry. 

Miss Mary Butler Pearson, of Newberry. This marriage 
proved to be a very happy one. In addition to unusual 
personal attractions, a bright intellect and engaging man- 
ners, Mrs. Fair possessed that excellent virtue which we 
call common sense. Her husband's duties as Solicitor, 
required llim to be absent from home much of his time 
Mrs. Fair displayed great energy and practical judgment in 
the management of the domestic affairs of the family, and 
also of the farm and other private business of Col. Fair's 
during his absence. She was a true and faithful helpmeet 
to her husband. She died on the 31st of December, 1867. 
Col. Fair died on the 15th of July, 1873, at Glenn Springs, 
S.C. 

I shall now introduce an admirable address, made by J. 
F. J. Caldwell, Esq., before a memorial meeting of the Bar 
and citizens of Newberry, on the 1st of September, 1873, and 
published in the Newberry Herald^ which gives a more 
faithful and discriminating estimate of the life and char- 
acter of Col. Fair than I could possibly produce. 

Mr. Caldwell spoke as follows :* " I feel that I should not 
only neglect an attention due our distinguished dead, but 
that I should be wanting in common gratitude, if I failed to 
join my voice in this act of public reverence and lamenta- 
tion for one, who, in addition to his claims upon me as a 
public benefactor, had the more pressing claim arising from 
frequent and considerable kindnesses bestowed upon me 
individually. It is not necessary that I should recount 
those kindnesses ; and it would be immodest in me to assert 
that I have been greatly profited by them, for that would 

* Mr. Caldwell's address is given in full, with the exception of one 
or two paragraphs referring to certain important causes in which Col. 
Fair was engaged, and which would not be of special interest to read- 
ers, other than members of the Bar. 



Reminiscences, of Newberry. 195 

imply that I consider myself to have attained to something; 
but I niention them as one of my reasons for occupying the 
time of this meeting, and one of my reasons for endeavoring 
to show to those who did not know him as I did, artd to re- 
mind those who did so know him and appreciate him, how 
excellent a man he was. 

"I do not wish to use the language of idle, fulsome eulogy; 
if nay own sense of propriety did not forbid it, my knowl- 
edge of his character assures me how^ he abhorred it while 
living, how he must have deprecated its utterance when 
dead. But I do wish to do him the honor he deserves, and, 
for our sakes, so to describe him, as shall in some measure 
bring him again before us, and cause him to live in our 
minds and hearts, although the grave has forever hidden 
his mortal part from our eyes. If I, or any of us, shall suc- 
ceed in this, however imperfectly it may be, we shall have 
cause to rejoice over our assembling here, for we shall then 
have done the noble work of restoring and perpetuating, for 
the emulation and delight of those here and those to come, 
the image of patriotism, and usefulness, and virtue. 

"Simeon Fair was born in Newberry District, on the ITth 
day of November, 1801. His ancestry were Scotch-Irish, 
his father, William Fair, being born of one of the families 
which came from Ireland during, and just before, and just 
after the year 1770. I have not been able to learn whether 
William Fair was born before or after the settlement of his 
parents in this country ; but he must have been born within 
two or three years of it. The Fair's were of that well known 
and worthy people who settled in large numbers in this 
county, during the four or five years just preceding and just 
after the date last mentioned — the Presbyterians of North 
Ireland. These men were not the adventurers the majority 
of European emigrants then were, and now are. They were 



196 Reminiscences of Newherry. 

mostly farmers, or hand- crafts men, of good condition. 
They all brought something with them ; and some of them 
good sums of money, hoarded from the toil of years, or else 
realized from the sale of their valuable leases. They were a 
sturdy, brave, patient race ; quiet and peaceable, yet obsti- 
nately tenacious of their rights ; cool-headed and calcu- 
lating, yet burning in their hearts with the very fire of 
volcanoes ; rigid and abstemious in their habits of life, yet 
not without an excellent humor and a proper appreciation 
of all rational enjoyment. They were eminently religious— 
eminently moral. They had ever a clear, positive doctrine, 
which permeated all their opinions and habits; and to this 
they clung with a tenacity which no argument— and no 
misfortune could ever shake. 

" Coming of such an ancestry, and reared in such a pure 
school of morals, it is not difficult to see how Col. Fair early 
learned the necessity and dignity of labor ; how he learned 
to value men only according to their intellectual and moral 
worth ; how he learned to estimate actions according as 
they were right or wrong, without recourse to the base and 
pitiful subterfuge of justifying the means by the end ; how 
he learned on the one hand, that man is nothing so worthj^ 
in himself as to warrant vanity or arrogance, and on the 
other hand, that there is nothing, or almost nothing, which 
an earnest, patient, laborious man may not accomplish. 

"I mention these things because I am sure that in having 
such training. Col Fair was more fortunate than in the 
possession of his fine intellect, and because I am sure that 
his noble success in life was but the legitimate, the inevita- 
ble result of such sentiments and such education. 

*' Col. Fair, as I infer, spent a good portion of his youth in 
labor, on his father's farm as was the case with the sons of 
our Scotch-Irish ancestors. We hear nothing especial of 



Beimniscences of Newberry. 197 

his school-days. He was not one of that bright, superficial 
class known in the colleges as " first honor men " He not 
only had no bent towards the languages and the belles- 
lettres, but he had rather au excessive indifference for them. 
Indeed, it is in this that we find the one thing to be regret- 
ted in his whole intellectual life ; for his deficiency in 
language prevented him from putting his communications, 
whether oral or written, with his fellow-men, in such 
shape as would have displayed to the world the full 
strength and nobility of his mind, and the extent of his 
legal learning. 

" He was admitted to the Bar in 1824, and he soon es- 
tablished himself as well worth a place amongst a band < f 
giant minds. Immediately upon, or soon after his admis- 
sion he was taken into partnership by John Caldwell, who 
was then in the full tide of fame and success as a forensic 
orator. The combination was a happy one for both parties. 
Mr. Caldwell, like almost all men whose eloquence gives 
them command over juries and spectators, appears to have 
relied upon that gift, somewhat to the neglect of his legal 
studies in general, and the serious neglect of the dei)artment 
of pleading. Col. Fair's clear, accurate mind naturally led 
him to that department, and the deficiency of his senior 
forced him to make it his specialty. And like the man of 
the fable, whom the fairy rewarded for the kindnesses he had 
shown her, while she inhabited an unsightly form, he re- 
ceived a noble bounty from this science for his devotion to 
her, through all the dry and tedious details of technicality, 
and apparently arbitrary rules. He soon had the satisfac- 
tion — alas, hoyv much more rare in the profession than the 
world believes !— of bringing his cases propeily and safely 
to their trial. 

" He rose rapidly until the times of Nullification, as they 



198 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

are commonly termed. Then he experienced some diffi- 
culty from his Union opinions, which were opposed to the 
prevailing sentiment of this District. But his fearlessness 
commanded so much respect, and his subsequent readiness 
to abandon what appeared a fruitless and parricidal oppo- 
sition to the action of his people, evinced such a willingness 
to devote himself to those people, however wrong he might 
consider their theory, that it was not long before his error, 
as it was deemed, was entirely overlooked, and himself re- 
stored to favor, 

" He practiced law without intermission, until the war in 
Florida, in 1836, then he volunteered into the military 
service, and in the capacity of Lieutenant serv^ed until the 
close of the war. I have scarcely ever heard others speak of 
his military career, and in all my acquaintance with him, 
I never heard him mention it a dozen times. He seems 
however, to have conducted himself with fair credit, in 
that least intellectual of occupations. At all events, he 
gave satisfaction to the people of the District, for on his re- 
turn home, he was elected to the Legislature by a very 
flattering vote, and he received large accessions to his 
business. And from this time forward, he enjoyed the 
confidence of a large majority of our pec^ple, with less vari- 
ation and for a longer period, than probably any man 
that ever lived in the District. 

"Although he was in the State Legislature during the 
greater part of the time until 184(i, his career in his pro- 
fession is mainly interesting to us. 

" Col. Fair and Thomas H. Pope, Esq. formed a copartner- 
ship about ]83:>, which continued until 1838, when the 
latter was elected Commissioner in Equity. During that 
period, it is impossible to say what part either one of them 
performed in their cases. No doubt, however, each bore his 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 199 

share of the labor, each contributed to their triumphs, 
each deserves his half of our applause. 

"Col. Fair was elected Solicitor of the Middle Circuit in 
1<S46, and continued in that ofltice until October 1868 — a 
period of nearly twenty-two years. In this office he was 
eminently successful in his prosecutions, eminently punc- 
tual and industrious, eminently just and conscientious. He 
carried out perfectly the design of the office ; he prosecuted 
every real criminal with skill and energy, no matter what 
his wealth, descent or social rank, yet extended all the 
liberality to the accused which the frailty of human 
nature could reasonably demand. Of the great number 
of cases which he managed, I may be permitted to mention 
three. 

"The case of the State vs. Brown, (3 Strob Law, 508,) called 
forth what was then a leading decision in the organization 
of juries in criminal trials, and what is still a leading de- 
cision on the competency of an accomplice to testify against 
his fellow criminal. 

"The case of the State vs. Bowen. which he successfully 
prosecuted against a master for not providing his slaves 
with proper food and clothing, and that of the State vs. 
Boozer, and others, by which he enforced the laws against 
patrols improperly disturbing slaves at an entertainment, 
have this importance, that they show, despite the slanders 
of our enemies, that we had laws which jealously protected 
our bondmen, and that in Simeon Fair we had an officer, 
who, in the face of all personal opposition, had the laws 
carried out in favor of that humble class, 

"Of the many cases which he conducted in his latter 
years, I need not speak— partly because they are so fresh in 
the minds of many persons here, and partly because I might, 
in some instances, touch a wound which would excite feel- 



200 Reminiscences of Neirherry. 

ings other than those the sadness and solemnity of this 
occasion demands. 

" He was an excellent lawyer. He prepared his pleadings 
with great skill and accuracy. He collected every fact at 
all important to his case. He possessed himself, before ar- 
gument, of every available statute and decision upon his 
points. He examined a witness with rare ingenuity — some- 
times, indeed, forcing from him, with great display of 
wrath, what he was reluctant to testify, but usually concili- 
ating him and gently— almost imperceptibly— drawing 
from him what was needed in the cause. He was no 
rhetorician, gilding or blackening the facts with the hues of 
his own imagination, and stealing men's hearts, to the 
blinding of their judgments. He seized the one or two real 
issues in the case, and spoke right to them, regardless of the 
snares and quibbles set by an adversary to entrap him. He 
construed the evidence, he unfolded the law, he appealed to 
the common sense and common justice of men. And he 
seldom failed. His memory was astonishingly accurate 
and retentive, his appreciation of legal principles, most 
thorough and his discrimination of statutes and decisions 
almost unequaled. He was every inch a lawyer, and he 
loved his profession with his whole soul. Kor nearly tifty 
years he toiled with almost incessant energy ; in health 
and in sickness, in affluence and in comparative poverty, 
amid the riot and tumult of war, and the ruin of a more dis- 
astrous peace, he labored steadily and valiantly, and death 
found him, as he said it should, 'with harness on his back.' 
I have known him, when stretched upon a bed of sickness, 
to be laboriously employed in the preparation of a case ; and 
on one occasion, I knew him to struggle out of bed, and 
travel a hundred miles in the most inclement weather, and", 
then though barely able to stand upon his feet, engage in 



Hemin'iscences of Newberry. 201 

one of the most delicate and difficult trials I ever witnessed. 
But the intricacy and seriousness of the case seemed to warm 
him into new life. He followed the mass of testimony from 
first to last ; he caught every point of his able opponents 
seven hour argument, and in his own reply of two hours 
length, construed the evidence, unfolded the great princi- 
ples of law involved, and fortified every foot of ground with 
the decisions of the Masters of Equity, both in England and 
America. And this wms a cause in which, from first to last, 
he positively refus^ed to accept even a contingent fee. 

*'Col. Fair's political career requires but a brief descrip- 
tion at my hands. He was a Democrat of the true Jeffer- 
son and Calhoun school, a friend to the Union so long as 
his State had her rights in it, but giving his first allegiance 
to his State. He was not a separate State action man in 
1850 and 1851 ; but he was a Secessionist in 1860, and as a 
delegate from this District he signed the Ordinance of Seces- 
sion. After the war, his course, although not quite success- 
ful, was as wise a one as seemed possible under the circum- 
stances. He was the great conservator of the county— pre- 
serving as far as possible the ancient tone of our society, 
protecting us as much as one could from the aggressions of 
our adversaries. Yet preventing undue violence on the 
part of a well-nigh desperate class. In these efforts he was 
nobly conspicuous in the Reform Movement in 1870 and the 
Presidential campaign in 1872 And I believe I state but 
the naked truth wh^n T say, that although his conduct was 
not universally appreciated, it commanded the aflection and 
confidence of his own party, and, wrung a reluctant tribute, 
even from those whose incendiary schemes he baffled. 

" We should be chary of the epithet, but I think upon a 
review of his life, we may safely say, he was a good man. He 
was a philanthropist in the noblest sense of the term. He 



202 Reminiscences of Neicberry. 

was kind and amiable, lie was just and generous, he was 
honest and true No man but the evil-doer need fear him, 
for while he was 

'Lofty and sour to them that loved him not, 
To those men that souirht him lie was sweet as summer.' 

We loved and honored him while he lived— how shall we 
adequately express our grief at his loss : 

*Uh good gray liead which all men knew, 

O, voice Irom which their omens all men drew, 

O, iron nerve to true occasion true, 

O, fallen at length that tower of strength 

Which stood four square to ail the winds that blew !' 

I do not say that our loss is irreparable— I do not say 
that, even in our generation, we shall not look upon his like 
again, for surely, He who was able to raise up children 
unto Abraham, can, of the noble material in this people, 
rear up another equal to him we here lament But for the 
present, I must say, we are in some sense an orphaned com- 
munity— bereaved of our head and leader, and knowing not 
if his mantle shall descend on any one of us. 

" Rut we have great matter of consolation, even in these 
first hours of our affliction, and our predominent feeling 
should be one of thanks. For his sake we should be thank- 
ful that he enjoyed so long and happy a life, that he ac- 
quired honor and the afFeetion of his people, that he en- 
joj'ed all the pleasures of friendship and those of domestic 
life, and that he had the felicity — enough to make his lonely 
death-bed a place of comfort and repose — the inexpressible 
felicity of knowing, in his last hoin\s, that he had served his 
family and his friends, that he had served his country, that 
he had befriended the poor, the friendless, the widow and 
the orphan. And for ourselves we should be thankful, that 



Reminiscences of Neuherry. 203 

Ave for so long a period enjoyed his services and his society, 
and that now and henceforth, although his visible, mortal 
form is taken from us, we have his example before us, to 
guide, to admonish, to strengthen and to comfort us all the 
■days of our life." 

THOMAS H. POPE. 

Thomas Herbert Pope was born in Edgefield County, S- 
C'., on the 12th of November, 1803. He was the son of Capt. 
8ampson and Sarah (Strother) Pope. He was educated in the 
best schools and academies within his father's reach, and was 
for a short time in Yale College. He read law at Newberrj^ 
with Judge O'Neall, (who was his brother-in-law,) was ad- 
mitted to the Bar in 1825, and settled at Edgefield. He was 
married on the 19th of January, 1830, to Hariiet Neville 
Harrington, the second daughter of Young John and Nancy 
(Calmes) Harrington, of Newberry. He removed to New- 
berry in 1832. He was elected Commissioner in Equity 
for Newberry District in 1836, and served until 1840, when 
he resigned. In 1840 he was elected a member of the House 
of Representatives of South Carolina from Newberry. 

In 1850, an effort was niade by a strong party in the State, 
led by the Hon. C. G. Memminger, of Charleston, to abol- 
ish the Bank of the State, which had existed for a great 
many years ; the parent institution being located in Charles- 
ton, with branches at Columbia and Camden. There were 
-"' Bank " and " Anti-Bank " candidates brought out in all 
the Districts of the State. Mr. Pope, being opposed to the 
Bank, was induced to run upon the Anti-Bank ticket in 
Newberry, together with Genl. .James H. Williams and Col. 
James W. Duckett. The candidates of the Bank party 
were Genl. A. C. Crarlington, Maj. John P, Kinardand Col. 
Robert Moorman. 



204 JReminiscences of Nev:herry. 

As the }?eople nearly all belonged to the same National polit- 
ical part}", elections were usually merely personal contests. 
But at this time the result of the election for members to the 
Legislature hinged upon a well defined political issue, and 
all other considerations were lost sight of. The Anti-Bank 
party contended, among other things, that it was unjust for 
the tState to enter int) competition with Banks that she had 
chartered, and over which she exercised control to some 
extent ; that the Directors of the Bank of the State often 
used that institution to advance their private ends, and ex- 
tended undue accommodations to a privileged few. 

The Bank party inaintained that by the profits of the 
Bank the revenue of the State was increased, and taxes 
correspondingly reduced ; that planters and other non com- 
mercial class-es of citizens received assistance and accommo- 
dations from the Bank of the State, which they could not 
obtain from the other banks ; and that the Directors of that 
institution were as free from blame £^those of the chartered 
banks. 

The canvass which preceded the election was very ex- 
citing, but conducted with courtesy and freedom from per- 
sonal invective. The people flocked in great numbers to 
the places of public assemblings to hear the discussions. 

Mr. Pope and General Garlington were the recognized 
leaders of the opposing parties in Newberry. General Gar- 
lington, by the power of his eloquence and acknowledged 
ability as a platform speaker, always produced a strong im- 
pression upon his auditors. But in Mr. Pope, " he had a 
foeman worthy of his steel." Mr. Pope, though always logi- 
cal and impressive, was not an eloquent man in the com- 
mon acceptation of the term. His style was colloquial, 
earnest and argumentative. He addressed himself chiefly 
to the reason and judgment, and made very little effort to 



/Reminiscences of Neiuherry. 205 

please the fancy of his hearers ; but he never failed to arrest 
and hold their undivided attention. He had made a thor- 
ough study of the question at issue, and supported his argu- 
jnents by a masterly array of facts and figures. 

At the election, the Bank party triumphed in Newberry, 
as it did in a majority of the Districts of the State 

While a member of the Legislature, Mr. Pope easily took 
rank among the foremost members of that body. By his 
talents, sound judgment and independent and honorable 
bearing, he commanded the respect and confidence of the 
House. He possessed many of the qualities which enter 
into the character of a wise and practical legislator, but his 
natural temperament and feeble physique, unfitted him 
for the exposure and excitement of electioneering cam- 
paigns, and tlje turmoil of political life. 

The Law was his mistress, and how well she repaid him 
* for his devot'on to her ! He achieved success and distinc- 
tion at the Bar amid the severest competition with men of 
great ability and legal learning. The Equity side of the 
Court was his fort. He had few, if any superiors in that 
branch of the practice, and would have made an able and 
successful Chancellor. His legal papers were models of 
neatness and good English. He was a prompt man of busi- 
ness, an excellent accountant, and applied himself closely 
to both the study and practice of his profession. He was 
seldom seen outside of his office during business hours. 
When preparing for the Court of Appeals, he usually came 
to his office very early in the morning, and taking a seat 
near his library — with writing material at hand— would re- 
main until the close of the day ; leaving off' work just long 
enough to partake of a simple luncheon which he had 
brought with him. He had a curious habit of constantly 
twisting the forelock of his hair which he wore rather long. 



^06 Reminiscences of Nevherry. 

around the forefiuger of his right hand while reading. He 
had a high appreciation of the dignity of his profession, and 
lool^ed far beyond its material benefits for his reward. His 
disposition was sensitive and his temperament nervous. He 
felt keenly any indignity or injustice offered him, especially 
at the Bar, but was never betrayed into doing an ungentle- 
manly act, or using an undignified expression. He died on 
the 4th of February, 3851, in the forty-eighth year of 
his age. 

The writer spent nearly three years in Mr. Poj)e's offlce^ 
and while there, began under his supervision and direction 
a Digest of the Law Reports of South Carolina, beginning 
where Rice left oft'. A considerable amount of work had 
been done, but it was far from completion at Mr. Pope's 
death, and unfortunately after his death the manuscript 
was lost. 

The following extract is from a " Preamble and Resolu- 
tions " adopted by the Bar of Newberry, just after Mr. Pope's 
death, and presented to the Court of Common Pleas for New- 
berry, at Spring Term, 1851: 

"Our fi'iend and brother, Thomas H. Pope, who for up- 
wards of twenty years has been engaged in the practice of 
law, departed this life at his residence in this town, on the 
morning of the 4th instant, 

"He had a laudable ambition to excel in his profession, 
and during his whole life assiduously and untiringly de- 
voted himself to its duties. To a mind both penetrating 
and discriminating, he united an industry and perseverance 
that enabled him to surmount obstacles from which others 
less ambitious would have retired. He put forth all his 
powers in behalf of his clients, and in his profession tasked 
his ability to the utmost. Of feeble frame and small physi- 
cal strength, yet such was his desire of success and distinc- 



Reminiscences of Newberry, 207 

tion, that he never permitted himself to flag under any labor 
required of him. 

" In his intercourse with his professional brethren, he was 
honorable and fair, and always willing to rest the cases in 
which he was engaged, upon their merits." 

The Presiding Judge — the able and distinguished Judge 
Withers— before ordering the Preamble and Kesolutions to 
be entered upon the Records of the Court, expressed a high 
opinion of the legal ability of JWr. Pope, and in closing his 
remarks said : "While I had not the pleasure of an inti- 
mate personal acquaintance with Mr, Pope, yet, from what 
I saw of him on the Circuit and before the Appeal Court, I 
had learned to look upon him as a model lawyer." 

Mr. Pope was a diligent student and his reading embraced 
a good many subjects, beside the law. He had good literary 
taste and delighted to refresh his mind, occasionally, by 
reading the works of the great masters of English literature. 

He was very happy in his domestic relations. He had 
been most fortunate in his choice of a life companion, and 
was never so happy as when surrounded by his family. 
His wife inherited much of the energy and self-reliance 
of her father with the gentle patience and winning man- 
ners of her mother. She had a love for all that was 
beautiful in nature. The first flower garden ever seen in 
Newberry was planted and tended by her, and as long as 
she lived, she found time amid all her domestic duties and 
cares to beautify and render more attractive the family 
home. Nor did she neglect the cultivation of her naturally 
bright intellect She was an admirable type of the Southern 
matron, devoted to her husband, her children and her 
home. 

Mrs. Pope died on the 22d of December, 1860. 



iJ08 Reminiscences of Newberrii. 

MAJOR JAMES M. BAXTER. 

Major James M, Baxter, was born in Laurens County, S. 
C on the 7th of September, 1825. His parents came from 
Ireland, and belonged to that class commonly known as 
Scotch-Irish, which furnished so many of the honest, thrifty 
and intelligent early settlers of South Carolina 

Judge McGowan, of the Supreme Court of South Carolina, 
in a letter addressed to the writer in relation to the ances- 
tors of Major Baxter, and himself, says: "Our forefathers 
passed over from Scotland to the North of Ireland, and at 
the close of the last century, were living in County Antrim, 
protestant, old-school, — 'John Knox' — Presbyterians. They 
were all followers of Robert Emmet, and were 'out in 1798.' 
Grandfather McGowan was arrested and punished as a 
rebel, but his life was spared, and he, with his family (wife 
and four children) in 1800, emigrated to South Carolina, 
and came up from Charleston to Laurens County, where the 
children grew up and married. William, the only son, was 
my father, and his sister Nancy, married William Baxter, 
also an emigrant from County Antrim, Ireland, and their 
only child was our lamented friend, James M. Baxter." 

Major Baxter received his academic education in his 
native county, and then entered Erskine College, Due West, 
S. C, from which he was graduated. After his graduation 
he studied law under General Albert C. Garlington, at New- 
berry, and was admitted to the Bar in 1849. Soon af er his 
admission to the Bar, he opened an office at Newberry 
where he continued in the pursuit of his chosen profession 
until his death. He was for some time, during the earlier 
years of his professional life, the law partner of Col. Simeon 
Fair, and for several years just preceding his death, was 
associated in the practice of law with Silas Johnstone, Escx. 



Reminiscences of Nevherry. 209 

He was married on the 17th of May, 1860, to Miss Frances 
Nancie, the daughter of Drayton Nance, Esquire, of New- 
berry. 

Upon the breaking out of the war of Secession, he 
promptly dedicated himself to the service of his country. 
He was elected Major and subsequently promoted to the 
rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Third Regiment South 
Carolina Volunteers, which was one- of the earliest corps 
mustered into the service of the Confederate States. He 
followed the fortunes of his regiment, doing faithful and 
efficient service, during the time of its original enlistment. 
At the end of that time, he was assigned to the '"Conscript 
Department" in which service he remained until the close 
of the war. 

Subsequent to the war, he was, for several terms, elected 
Mayor of the town of Newberry. This office he filled with 
efficiency and success. During his administration, more 
attention than ever before, was paid to the sanitary condi- 
tion of the town. 

But the practice of his profession may be said to have 
been his life work ; and to that we will now direct the read- 
ers attention. 

Major Baxter died on Saturday, the 5th of February, 1881. 
The Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions met at 
Newberry the following week, and continued in session 
until Saturday, February 19th. During a recess of the Court 
on the 18th, the members of the Bar met to take some appro- 
priate action on the death of Major Baxter, Maj. L. J. Jones, 
the senior member of the Bar presiding : Messrs. Suber, 
Pope and Caldwell, a committee appointed for that purpose, 
reported appropriate resolutions, which were unanimously 

adopted. On the 19th, Major Jones, as the chairman of the 
14 



210 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

Bar meeting, presented the resolutions to his Honor. Judge 
Hudson, in open Court. 

I am sure that I could not in any other way give a 
more satisfactory presentation of the character of Major 
Baxter, both as citizen and lawyer, than by introducing the 
following extracts from the speeches made on the occasion 
just referred to. They are the testimony of his professional 
brethren who knew him well. They are judicious and dis- 
criminating, and free from fulsome adulation. 

In present! Dg the resolutions of the Bar, Major Jones 
spoke as follows : 

"May it please your Honor: I hold in my hand a pre- 
amble and resolutions adopted at a meeting of the members 
of the Newberry Bar, in commemoration of the death of our 
friend and brother, Major James M. Baxter. As chairman 
of that meeting and as the oldest member of this Bar, I am 
charged with the melancholy duty of presenting them to 
your Honor, with the request that they be spread upon 
the Minutes of the Court Before I present them it is 
proper that I should say a few words. 

" Major Baxter's death was a great loss to this Bar, where 
his masculine intellect and discriminating mind, and devo- 
tion to the true interest of his clients, gave him great prom- 
inence. His mind was too broad and comprehensive to be 
trammeled with forms and technicalities, but easily mas- 
tered the strong points of his cases, and seized and applied 
with a m-isterly hand the broad principles of law and 
equity upon which our judicial system is founded, and 
which embodies the united wisdom and experience .of ages. 
It was his comprehension of and devotion to principles, that 
gave him great power before the jury and compelled a re- 
spectful attention from the Judge to what he said. As your 
Honor well knows, the contests of this forum are often ex- 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 211 

citing and worrying, and it is sometimes difficult for the 
best of us to avoid saying and doing things, under the ex- 
citement of the moment, which should not liave been said 
and done ; but it is a notable characteristic of the members 
of the Bar not to let these tilings mar tlieir friendship. No 
man was more ready to forgive and forget things said and 
done under sucli circumstances ; no man was more ready to 
atone for things said and done by him under such circum- 
stances tlian our friend and brother. His faults (and who 
of us have not our faults ?; were faults of the head and not 
of the heart. He l^uew it was human to err, and hence he 
was always ready to forgive and forget. In the expressive 
language of another: ' He was a man of large heart and 
head, kind and courteous to all, a most pleasant and enter- 
taining companion, and a true and steadfast friend. Those 
who knew him best admired and loved him most ' He was 
a kind and provident husband, an affectionate and tender 
parent — a steadfast, devoted friend — a patriotic citizen, 
alive to all the best interests of his State and count^^ — a sin- 
cere, conscientious Christian It is therefore fitting that we, 
his com])anions at this Bar, should perpetuate and transmit 
to those who may come after us our high appreciation of his 
master mind, and his high moral, social and religious 
character, by spreading upon the Minutes of this Court the 
preamble and resolutions which I now present for that pur- 
pose." 

Major C. H Suber, in seconding the resolutions, said : 
IMajor Baxter was gified with rare intellectual powers— en- 
dowed with faculties which eminently fitted him for the 
profession he adorned so highly. He was not what might 
be called a popular speaker, abounding in the graces of ora- 
tory and possessing the power to sway the thronging multi- 
tude. He seldom attempted flights of fancy, but always 



212 Reminiscences of Newherry. 

spoke in language unadorned, but pure and chaste. His style 
of speaking was logical and argumentative, never failing to 
impress upon those who heard him the conviction of his 
own earnestness in the cause he advocated His percep- 
tions were clear and exact and his reflective faculties acute 
and vigorous. As a lawyer he was earnest and zealous in 
whatever business was committed to his charge, and he 
exhibited a devotion to his profession and an untiring in- 
dustry in the cause of his clients, such as is rarely equalled. 
He was thoroughly grounded in the elementary" principles 
of the law, and whenever, in the preparation of his cases he 
had occasion to investigate a legal principle, he always re- 
sorted to the fountains of the law for his information, in- 
stead of relying upon the reports of recently decided cases. 
He believed that ' the reason of the law was the life of the 
law,' and he searched for it in the writings of the sages of 
the law. He was no ' case lawyer,' but rather depended 
upon his own native intellect and strong reasoning faculties 
to guide him in the arguments of his cases. A formidable 
adversary at the Bar under any circumstances, but most 
dangerous when his case appeared most hopeless— he gath- 
ered new strength and rose to the emergencj' as his case 
trembled in the balance. He knew no such word as fail, 

"But he is gone from amongst us, never to return. No 
more shall we hear his voice; no more shall we see his 
genial face in this forum. Life's fitful fever is o'er, he 
sleeps well." 

George Johnstone, Esquire, said : 

"I rise for one moment to lay a garla.id on the grave 
of our deceased comrade. This much is due to him with 
whom I began the study of law, and from whom I have 
derived more information than from any one else. This 
is due to one who possessed more ability than was neces- 



jRemhiisccnces of Newberry. 213 

sary to raise him to any position in his profession to 
which he might liave aspired. His social life was as strik- 
ing and as brilliant as his professional life. That part of 
his character which appeared to me most lovable and the 
most admirable manifested itself in social intercourse. 
There were few men to whom the pleasures of social life 
were dearer, and few who contributed more to the pleasure 
of others. He has left us a legacy we can not forget, and 
has pointed out to us a career that we should diligently 
follow. His life was without malice and enmity, and in 
his death he has left neither malice nor enmity, " 
Mr. Silas Johnstone, Master in Equity, said : 
"I would add a few words to testify my high regard for 
our deceased brother. More than thirty years ago I met 
him for the first time, and I was struck with his wonder- 
ful conversational powers. After his admission to the Bar 
he soon gained a practice alongside of the best lawyers of 
the day; and for the last fifteen years he has been the 
most eminent member of the Bar of his Circuit. As one 
who was for years his i3artner, I might be permitted to 
speak of him as a counsellor in his office. He was a safe 
lawyer; being well grounded in the principles of the law he 
came at once to his conclusions. He was not eloquent in 
the usual meaning of the term; but he was logical, clear 
and forcible. He knew his case and the principles that 
governed it. He possessed in an eminent degree one 
other quality, without which no man can ever become a 
great lawyer, — a love of justice. He was a man of too 
much brains and heart to take a back seat in any com- 
pany. His life was a most useful one. Wherever we turn 
we miss him. and will miss him at all limes In thinking 
of him now I recall the lines of a poem that he so often re- 
peated : 



214 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

' The leafless tree, when Spring shall come, 

May feel its warm reviving power, 
And put forth many a lovely bloom, 

When moistened by its genial shower ; 
But sun nor shower can ere restore 

The friends whom now we see no more : 
And birds may sing, and zephyrs blow, 

These tears can never cease to flow.' " 

Louis Simkins, Esq., said : "There is one aspect of the 
character of Major Baxter, that impressed itself deeply upon 
my mind, and that I now recall with grateful feelings : It 
was his universal consideration and kindness towards the 
young men of the profession and towards all young men. 
He took a deep and abiding interest in their welfare, and 
was always ready to extend to them kind advice and assist- 
ance." 

Judge Hudson said : " Your deceased brother, while not 
known to me as intimately as to you, was amongst my most 
valued acquaintances. I first met him in Columbia in the 
Court of Appeals just after the war, where I was associated 
with him in an important case. I was impressed then b^^ 
his open, frank manner, and the courtesy and courage that 
he displayed in the management of his cases. He impressed 
me as a strong man, and as possessing to an unusual degree 
that high quality of which the Master has spoken, without 
which no man can become a great lawyer, the love of justice . 
Since that time I have met him frequently at Columbia and 
elsewhere. I have been with him often at the Bar and in the 
social circle, and never without being both pleased and in- 
structed by him. He was full of useful information outside 
of his profession. He thoroughly loved liis profession. In 
preparing to argue cases before the Supreme Court, I would 
always consult him whenever the opportunity offered, be- 



Eeniiniscences of Newberry. • 215 

cause I appreciated and valued his knowledge of the princi- 
ples of the law, and I nev^er consulted him without profit. 
Not long ago I met Major Baxter in Columbia, and the 
thought passed over me then that this man is destined to a 
long life of usefulness ; he was the picture of health, vigor 
and animation. I then thought, that of all those who had 
made a reputation at their profession, Major Baxter would 
be one to enjoy a green old age. 

"It becomes us to profit by this dispensation of Providence, 
and to learn lessons of usefulness fron:i the life of our de- 
ceased friend. He fought the battle of life courageously, and 
achieved success. The occasion is a &ad one, I can add noth- 
ing more, except to endorse the resolutions. Let them be 
spread upon the Minutes of the Court, and let the Court 
stand adjourned." 

In his letter (to which I have already referred), Judge 
McGowan says: "In his profession he, (Major B. ) was.es- 
pecially devoted to the doctrines and practice of Equity, and 
I have always thought would have made a good Chancellor." 

Major Baxter was very domestic in his tastes and habits. 
He loved his family and his home, and often sought recrea- 
tion in superintending the cultivation of his farm, his 
orchard and his garden. His generous and abounding hospi- 
tality, in which he was most heartily joined by his excellent 
and devoted wife will never be forgotten by those who en- 
joyed it. He was benevolent without ostentation, many of 
his deeds of kindness were not known except by those upon 
whom they were bestowed, and a few of his most intimate 
friends, 

Mr. Johnstone, Master in Equity, has alluded to his excel- 
lent conversational powers, and INIajor Suber to the purity 
and chasteness of his language. His facility in the use of 
his native tongue was remarkable. He never used a " big 



216 Remimscences of Ncu-herry. 

word ; " yet he rarely failed to use the best word in conver- 
sation, in speaking or in writing. If young members of the 
Bar who may read these pages, will allow a laymen to offer 
them a suggestion, it is this : that they should go frequently 
to the Clerk's office at Newberry, and study Major Baxter's 
legal papers on file there. They cannot fail to be pleased 
with the simplicity, vigor and clearness of his style. 

" Of Scotch-Irish parentage he was early grounded in the 
doctrines peculiar to Presbyterianism." He was admitted 
to the membership of Aveleigh (Presbyterian) Church at 
Xewberry, October the 12th, 1855, and within one month 
thereafter was elected to the office of deacon. He served 
the Church as deacon for a number of years, until vacancies 
occurring in the bench of elders, he was elected and installed 
into the eldership on the 9th of July, 1865. In the latter 
office he served his Church until his death. 

GEN. A. C. GARLTNGTON. 

Gen. Albert Cresswell Garlington, — who was the most 
eloquent and polished speaker of his day at the Newberry 
Bar — was born in Oglethorpe County, (Georgia, on the 9th of 
June, 1822. He was the son of Christopher and Eliza (Ay- 
cockj Garlington. His father removed to Laurens County, 
S. C, when he was quite young. He received his education 
at Laurens. S. C, and at Athens Ga. After his graduation 
he read law, and was admitted to4he Bar. He was married 
on the 12th of December, 1846, to Mi-s Sallie L. Moon, the 
daughter of the late Dr. Peter Moon, of Newberry. He 
died on the 25th of March, 1885, survived by his devoted 
wife, one daughter, Miss Octavia Garlington, (who is an 
accomplished and successful educator, and at this time the 
Principal of Newberry Female Academy,) and three sons. 



Reminiscences of Nevherry. 217 

His eldest sod, Ernest A. Garlingtoii, is an officer in the 
United States Army, (holding the commission of First 
Lieutenant of the 7th Cavalry,) and was assigned to the 
command of the expedition sent out by the United States, 
to the Arctic regions in 1883, for the relief of Lieutenant 
Greely. 

At the first session of the Court of Common Pleas and 
General Sessions for Newberry, held (July 1885) after Gen. 
Garlington's death. Major C, H. Suber presented appropri- 
ate resolutions, which had been previously adopted by the 
Newberry Bar, relative to his (Gen. G 's) death. Major 8u- 
ber's address delivered on that occasion will present to the 
reader a short but comprehensive sketch of the character 
and career of Gen. Garlington. 

He said : '• May it please your Honor, it is my painful 
duty to announce the death of a member of this Bar, that 
occurred since the last meeting of this Court. 

" Gen. Albert C. Garlington is no more. He died at his 
home in this County, on the 25th day of March last. At a 
meeting of the surviving members of this Bar, held soon 
after the sad event, for the purpose of paying a proper trib- 
ute to his memory, a committee of five was appointed to 
prepare resolutions expressive of our feelings, and as chair- 
man of that committee, I rise now to present the resolutions 
for such disposition as to the Court may seem meet. 

" May it please your Honor, the kindly relations that ex- 
isted between the deceased and myself, commencing in our 
youth and continuing without interruption to the day of 
his death, and our long association as partners in the prac- 
tice of our profession, would seem to require that I should 
say something, a few words at least, on this melancholy oc- 
casion. I would do violence to the better impulses of my 
heart if I remained silent. 



218 Meminhcences of Neivherry. ^ 

" Gen. Garlington possessed inteJlectual endowments and 
accomplishments such as are rarely found in any man. It 
is not often that we encounter in life a man who can speak 
so fluently, correctly, tersely and vigorously as he did. The 
legal papers drawn by his hand in the cases in which he 
was engaged, (many of which are on file in the Clerk's of- 
fice below), will compare favorably with the pleadings pre- 
pared by the ablest lawyers who ever practiced at this Bar. 
and Newberry has not been unprolific in able lawyers and 
skilful pleaders. His arguments in the Supreme Court were 
models of forensic eloquence. His contributions to the 
Press, both as editor and correspondent, were marked with 
eloquence of diction and vigor of thought, as were also his 
speeches in Legislative halls, which won the applause of 
listening Senates. In times of high political excitement 
he was singularly apt in his speeches on the hustings, where 
he held sway over the minds of his hearers by the magic of 
his eloquence. They never tired of listening to his impas- 
sioned utterances, they would not lose the faintest w^ords 
that fell from his lips As orator, statesman^ lawyer and 
journalist, he made his impress upon the times in which 
he lived. 

•' He enjoyed the advantages of early education and study, 
and well did he profit by them. He did not allow a golden 
opportunity to pass by without gasping it, and by i3erse- 
verence and close study in his early days, he laid the foun- 
dation for the brilliancy of mature manhood. 

'J, He was graduated from the University of Georgia, in 
the town of Athens, in that State, in 1843, carrying off' the 
highest honors of his class, (as did his brother, Robert Gar- 
lington, two years later, in the South Carolina College.) 
Returning to this State, he entered immediately upon the 
study of his chosen profession, in the office of the Hon. 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 219 

Charles P, Sullivan, at Laurens, and by unremitting appli- 
cation mastered the prescribed course in less than twelve 
months. He was admitted to the Bar and enrolled among the 
attorneys of the State in December, 1844. Immediately after, 
he commenced the practice of law at Laurens, S C, under the 
most favorable auspices. Encouraged by the companions of 
his youth and his influential relatives, his success seemed 
assured there. But he soon led to the altar a daughter of 
Newberry, w^ho loved to share with him his joj's and sor- 
rows, and now mourns his untimely end. Becoming thus 
identified with Newberry, he made his home amongst us, 
as a member of the Bar, in the early part of 1848. 

" The road to success at the Bar, under the most favorable 
circumstances, even when a young lawyer is sustained by 
influential friends and relatives, is full of obstacles difficult 
to surmount. It is indeed a stout hill to climb, and it re- 
quires a stout heart to climb it. But to our friend the as- 
cent was comparatively easy With his brilliant talents he 
sprang as it were una salta into the front rank of the pro- 
fession, and that position he maintained as long as he was 
actively engaged at the Bar. 

" It was not long before he was allured by the voice of 
flattery into the political arena to contend for the glittering 
prizes there- He came before the people of Newberry for 
the first time as a candidate for a seat in the House of 
Representatives, in the year 1850, (only two years after he 
had become a citizen of the County), at a time when the 
whole County, yea, the whole State was ablaze with ex- 
citement over the (juestion of the re-chartering of the Bank of 
the State of South Carolina, which was to come before the 
next session of the Legislature. There w^as an excitement 
in this County such as, I learn, had not been experienced 
since the times of Nullification. The party lines were 



220 Reminiscences of Neo-herry. 

strictly drawn and the ablest men were chosen to represent 
each party Gen. Garlington espoused the side of the Bank, 
and was at once accepted as the leader of that party Id this 
County. He was elected— after discussing the question 
with his able opponents, at the head of the ticket, by a large 
majority. He went to the Legislature and at once took his 
stand in the front rank of the debaters there. His ccn- 
stituency re-elected him again in 1852. In 1854 he was not 
a candidate for re-election, but beccime a candidate for Con- 
gress in opposition to the Hon. Preston S. Brooks, who was 
then serving out his first term in that body. Brooks was 
elected. Gen. Garlington became a candidate for the State 
Senate in 185G, and was elected after a most heated contest. 
Serving four years in the Senate, satisfactorily to his con- 
stituents, he was re-elected for another term, which em- 
braced the exciting period of the recent war between the 
States. He was one of the Executive Council appointed by 
Governor Pickens, under the Ordinance of the Convention 
in session at that time He was elected Adjutant-General 
of the State during the war, which office he filled most 
satisfactorily He was also elected Major of the Holcombe 
Legion, went into the field and served several months with 
that body of troops, when his services became needed in the 
Adjutant-General's office, and he was called back again 

"After the close of the war, in 1835, he was called by the 
people of Newberry, under the attempt of Andrew Johnson, 
to reconstruct the government — to again serve them in the 
liCgislature, this making three terms in the House of Rep- 
resentatives, and with two in the Senate, fourteen years in 
all, of his legislative service. 

"In the wreck which followed the war he shared the 
fate of his neighbors His practice was swept away with 
that of others. He was left poor. His fortune which was 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 221 

ample for the support of himself and his family, was 
swallowed up ; and looking about for a wider field in which 
to seek the recovery of his losses, he determined to leave 
the State and cast his lot among the people of Atlanta, in 
the State of Georgia. Having graduated at the University 
of that State, he was not without friends and acquaintances 
there, and upon his arrival was greeted as a valuable ac- 
quisition to that people. He remained there several years, 
in the pursuit of his profession, with his heart still turning 
to South Carolina, the State that had delighted to do him 
honor. Not content with his new home he turned his face 
hitherward, and came back amongst us to find at last his 
resting place in the sod of tlie State he loved so well. 

'• His earthly career is now ended, and he has gone to his 
long home, where human voice no more can reach him, 
where the cares and sorrows of the world will not disturb 
him again. And may a gentle spirit preside over and 
preserve the quiet of his deep repose, for his must have been 
a gentle spirit that had drawn around him such a large 
circle of affectionate friends." 

Gen. Garlington was gifted with a fine imagination. His 
speeches were often illumined by the play of a poetic fancy, 
and enforced by apt quotations from the great writers of the 
world. He made occasional contributions of verse to the 
Press. 

Two of his shorter poems ; pathetic in their simplicity, 
and revealing the tender and affectionate side of his nature, 
are here introduced : 



The blushing Rose, at early morn. 
In dewy freshness greets the eye ; 

But ere another day shall dawn. 
Its drooping leaves will fade and die. 



222 jReminiscences of Neivherry. 

The glowing clouds that skirt the sky , 
Along the track of parting day, 

With rapture flU the gamer's eye,— 
How soon to melt and pass away ! 

The queenly Moon, through starry skies, 
With silvery train leads on her way ; 

When from her couch Aurora hies. 
She flees before the brighter day. 

But sweet Spring-time will come again,— 
The rose again Avill lift its head, 

And 'neath the genial sun and rain, 
Will bloom as if 'twere never dead 

The hriglit Sun, too, will rise again, 
ALd shed its beam of golden light, 

To gild the clouds, and hill and plain, 

As though they ne'er were hid from sight. 

And the Moon's sweet face, seen Irom afar, 
Will shine again o'er land and sea, 

As on she moves, from star to star, 
In robes of light and majesty. 

Thus life is chequered o'er its way, 

With flitting shades of dark and light— 

The lesser and the brighter ray,— 
A shifting scene of day and night. 

The blushing Rose, the Moon, the Cloud- 
Fit type's of mortals here below ; 

Tlie smile, the sigh, tlie tear, the shroud^ 
And then to mother Earth they go. 

But another scene will open soon, 
Where neither eve nor night shall be ; 

And a glorious and cloudless noon 
Will shine throughout eternity. 



jRemlmscences of Newhrrry. 223 

O, sing my love, that song once more, 
It falls so sweetly on my ear, 
Though at the sound my heart runs o'er 
And bids my eyes let fall a tear. 

It tells of days, long, long, gone by, 
Wlien first we met in youthful prime ; 
When love and iiope lit up our sky, 
Like radiant stars in Southern clime; 

Of sorrows, too, of sobs and sighs, 
Of death— the little ones nsleep, 
Whose spirits from the upper skies, 
O'er loved ones here their watches keep. 

Of faded youth, like autumn's hue, 
That tells the winter winds are nigh, 
To break the leaf from where it grew, 
And dash it on the ground to die. 

But sing the song my love again ; 
What though its notes excite a tear; 
I'll ne'er forget the melting strain, 
To me so sad. but still so dear. 



" Gen. Garlington was one of the most gifted of men. His 
mental faculties were not only brilliant, but strong and well 
balanced His acquirements were varied and solid; and 
whether in the political arena, or at the Bar, or in social life, 
he was a man of marked ability. As an orator, either as an 
advocate at the Bar, or in the halls of legislation, he had few 
equals. With a mind severely trained to reason and stored 
with information, and possessing all the graces of oratory, 
he had the power to move men by his eloquence, and his 
speeches were always effective, especially so on important 
occasions calling for his best efforts. 



224 Reminiscences of Neivberry. 

'' Gen. Garlington was one of the men who spoke and 
wrote with equal ease and force As a writer his style was 
vigorous as well as graceful. He wrote much for the press, 
having been at one time editor of one of the leading daily 
newspapers of Atlanta, and afterwards editor of the Green- 
ville Daily News. During the last years of Gen Garling- 
ton's life, he devoted much time to the study of the history 
of South Carolina, with a view to publishing a history of the 
State, and had gathered from various sources a great deal of 
valuable material for this purpose, which we hope will be 
preserved and utilized by some one capable of pursuing the 
subject so ably begun by him."* 

*Neivherry Observer, (Newspaper) Editorial. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES CONTINUED— Y. J. HARRING- 
TON—JOHN S. CARWILE — F. B. HIGGINS— DRAYTON 
NANCE — COL. J. D. NANCE. 



Y. J. HARRINGTON 



YOUNG JOHN HARRINGTON, was born in Union 
District, South Carolina, on tlie 5tli of April, 1784. He 
was tlie son of John and Frances (Burt) Harrington. His 
parents came to South Carohna from Virginia. His father 
died when he was quite young. His mother, who after- 
wards (in 1795) married Col. Kobert Rutherford, of New- 
berry District, was a devout member of the Methodist 
Church, and distinguished for her domestic virtues and 
exemplary piety. At her request, Col. Rutherford, before 
their marriage, promised that he would never punish his 
step children, but would in all cases of disobedience, allow 
her to admonish or correct them. This promise he faith- 
fully kept, and through his forbearance and her excellent 
management, much of that unpleasantness which some- 
times comes into families where there are two sets of child- 
ren was avoided. 

Col. Rutherford was a man of great energy, and required 
from all under his authority, habits of industry and close 
attention to their appointed work. He was one of the first 

persons in South Carolina who planted cotton extensively. 
15 



226 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

Previous to 1796 cotton was cultivated iu Newberry District 
for domestic purposes only, and the lint was separated from 
the seed by the fingers. In 1796, Col. Rutherford pur- 
chased one of Whitney's cotton gins. ^ This is believed to 
have been the first cotton-gin put in operation in upper 
South Carolina. 

The people for miles around soon began to carry their 
cotton, in small parcels, to Col. Rutherford, to be ginned. 
Young Harrington, then about twelve years of age, was put 
in charge of the gin, and required to receive and deliver 
the cotton and keep an accurate account of the toll. This 
required unremitting attention on his part, and he suc- 
ceeded in managing the business to the satisfaction of every 
one interested. 

Very little is known of Young Harrington's school life. 
It is believed, however, that he did not attend school more 
than three years altogether. He came to Newberry village 
(then a mere hamlet) in 1799, and was employed as a clerk 
in the store of Major Fred. Nance, who was then conducting 
an extensive mercantile business. And although only in 
his sixteenth year, he soon secured — by his industry and 
efficiency — the confidence of Major Nance and became the 
general manager of the business. 

In February, 1805, he was married to Nancy Calmes, the 
daughter of William Calmes, of Newberry. After his mar- 
riage, he was associated with his step-father in mercantile 
business at Newberry, until 1807, when he was appointed 
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions 

♦Whitney, the inventor of the Cotton Saw-Gin, was a Yankee. 
Great as was nis invention, it benefited him little; his patent was 
violated and justice denied him every where, except in South Caro- 
lina, where he was paid by the Legislature for his invention, and his 
patent made free to the people.— "ONeaWs Annals of Newben-y.' 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 227 

for Newberry District, which office he held— until a week 
before his death — a period of nearly forty-three years. 

It is probable that no one in South Carolina ever filled the 
office of Clerk with more ability and success than Mr. Har- 
rington. 

If there was a prisoner to be arraigned, a jury to be im- 
panelled, and applica*:ion for citizenship by an alien to be 
heard, or any other duty to be performed in open Court, he 
was always prepared, and never found it necessary to resort 
to printed or w^ritten directions. He could repeat all the 
oaths and other forms required in the discharge of his 
duties from memory. He was prompt, efficient and oblig- 
ing; a man of unusual self-reliance and self-possession. He 
could put his hand upon any paper in his office at a 
moment's notice ; and never permitted a record to be car- 
ried out of his office, except under an order of Court. "He 
was often required, as ex-officio Commissioner of Special 
Bail, to decide difficult legal questions, this he did with 
singular promptitude and accuracy for one not educated as 
a lawyer." 

Promptness and love of order were prominent traits of 
his character. If at any time an appointment was made 
for a meeting of citizens, or a committee of which he was a 
member, he was invariably the first man to arrive. His 
love of order was apparent in everything he did. He was 
one of the original members and a deacon in the Baptist 
Church at Newberry, and by common consent became 
conservator of order in that Church. He was a devout 
worshiper, but no disturbance either in the congregation 
below or among the colored people in the gallery ever 
escaped his notice. He had a great aversion to dogs, and 
with one exception, would not allow them to remain in the 
Church under any circumstances. His life-long friend, Mr. 



228 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

John S. Car wile, who always occupied the same pew with 
him, owned a little pet dog named "Trusty" which always 
followed his master to Church and would take his place on 
the pulpit steps— for a nap during the service '. If. however, 
any other dog came into the Church and began to wander 
around, Mr. Harrington would very quietly take up his 
walking cane, and with Trusty's assistance, expel the in- 
truder forthwith. Trusty seemed to understand that he 
was "at Church" and under Mr Harrington's eye, and 
never made any disturbance himself^. 

There was nothing especially striking in Mr. Harring- 
ton's appearance, but there was in his manner a courtly 
grace and ease very unusual and attractive. He was a 
"born gentleman." It is related of him that when he was 
a lad at school, he surpassed all his school-fellows in polite- 
ness and gallantry. He would walk up to the door of the 
school-house with a little girl and hand her up the steps 
with the ease and grace of a cavalier, 

* The dog-knowledge or instinct (whatever you may call it,) of 
"Trusty," was very remax'kable. He had very high notions of gen- 
tility and good morals. He would not tolerate, in his presence, an 
uncleanly or shabbily dressed person, or a drunken man. He took 
very little notice of other dogs, except to show his contempt for 
them. Whenever his master was away from home he would, at the 
sound of the Church bell, start off, without waiting for the family, 
and be found on their arrival at the Church, in his accustomed place, 
on the pulpit steps. If, at any time, a visiting preacher occupied the 
pulpit, he would as soon as he heard his voice come down into the 
aisle, deliberately seat himself on his haunches, and take a good look 
at him. Having satisfied himself (I suppose,) that the preacher was 
not an intruder, he would return and resume his nap. How he 
turned these thhigs over in his dog-mind we may not know. But 1 am 
persuaded that if he had survived his owner, only the severest treat- 
ment could have made him leave his old haunts, and that he. would 
have continued, if possible, to attend his master's Church during the 
remainder of his liie. 



Reminiscences of Newberry. .2.29 

At one of the schools he attended there was a blue-eyed, 
brown-haired little girl to whom he was particularly devo- 
ted in his attentions. One day he carried a bright red 
June apple to school, in his pocket, which he intended to 
present to this little girl at noon-time. But, during the 
morning hours, while she was standing with her class 
before the teacher reciting a lesson ; the graces of her per- 
son, and her proficiency in the lesson, so charmed him, that 
forgetful of his surroundings, he walked across the floor and 
placed the apple in her hand, in the presence of the teacher 
and the wliole school. His sweetheart blushed deeply and 
trembled as she contemplated the probability of his punish- 
ment by the teacher, but strange to say, the stern man only 
smiled and allowed the matter to pass without further 
notice. 

This little incident and the subsequent history of these 
children should convince the most skeptical that ''marriages 
are made in heaven." The little girl afterwards became 
the wife of the gallant little fellow, who gave her the apple, 
and through a long period of years the fires of love and 
affection, which must have been kindled then, continued 
to burn with undiminished brightness, until they were 
extinguished by death. 

Mr. Harrington's devotion to his wife, his thoughtfulness 
of her comfort, and his tender and respectful manner 
towards her were remarkable. She was as much admired 
and beloved by him, the day he died, as she was the day he 
led her to the marriage altar, and it is but the simple truth 
to say that she deserved and returned it all. 

Mr. Harrington was an enterprising and a liberal citizen. 
He erected several of the best buildings in Newberry, 
among them — in connexion with James Farnandis — the 
Newberry Hotel, (destroyed by fire a few years ago,) which 



230 Reminiscences of Neivherry. 

was, at the time of its erection one of the largest brick 
edifices in the upper part of the State. 

"The simplicity of his character must have impressed 
any one on the slightest acquaintance. All his words and 
acMons were marked with a candor so evident, as to make 
it impossible to suspect him of concealment and disguise. 
His mind was exempt in no small degree from obliquity of 
motive, in all that he did his course was a straight-forward 
one, guided by 'the fear of the Lord.' He was distinguished 
a'so for the singular kindness of his disposition. He was 
always ready to relieve the destitute and comfort the dis- 
tressed. -X- * * ?*- K- vS- -x- 

The uniform cheerfulness of his temper was very remarka- 
ble—a disposition of mind quite inconsistent with the idea 
that religion shuts up its votaries in a gloomy seclusion 
from all enjoyment, and condemns them to bear the burden 
of sombre thoughts and feelings."^ 

On the evening of the 11th of November, 1850, after con- 
ducting family worship, he retired to rest. In one short 
hour afterwards he died from a stroke of apoplexy. 

His wife, Mrs. Nancy Harrington, was sixty-four years 
old at the time of his death, and her sympathizing friends 
as they looked upon her bowed form and grief-stricken face, 
standing beside her husband's grave, supposed that her 
earthly pilgrimage was nearly ended. 

But how inscrutable are the ways of Divine Providence. 
Mrs. Harrington, lived on nearly a third of a century after 
Mr. Harrington's death She saw nearl3' all the early 
friends of her husband and herself, with many members of 
her own family, pass away. She heard the distant mutterings 

* Sermon on the death of Y. J. Harrington, by John J. Brantly, D. 
D., 1851. 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 231 

of the war cloud, and saw it break in all its fury upon the 
country in 1861, passed through the vicissitudes of that 
eventful and appalling time, and amid its darkest hours 
witnessed the destruction by fire of the old family mansion, 
around which clustered so many happy memories of her 
long married life. Old age, manhood and womanhood in 
all their strength and beauty, joyous youth, budding child- 
hood and prattling infancy were alike cut down and borne 
to the grave. Yet the summons which she looked for con- 
stantly and often longed for did not come. Through many 
of the closing years of her life how truthfully she could, with 
the poet, have said . 

" So I am watching quietly 

Every day, 
Whenever the sun shines brightly, 

I rise and say : 
'Surely it is the sinning of His face,' 
And look unto the gates of His high place 

Beyond the sea ; 
For I linow He is coming shortly 

To summon me. 

And when a shadow falls across the window 

Of my room, 
Where I am working my appointed task 
I lift my head and watch the door and ask 

If He is come? 

And the angel answers sweetly 

In my home, 
' Only a few more shadows 

And He will come.' " 

Calmly, patiently and cheerfully she waited her Master's 
call until it came. On the 29th of May, 1879, at -the house 
of her grandson, Qen. Y. J. Pope, she peacefully and quietly 
passed away in the ninety-third year of her age. 



232 Seminiscences of Neu'berry. 

Mrs. HarringtoQ was a lovely and amiable woman, 
modest and retiring in disposition. Beneath her apparent 
shyness of manner, there lurked a warm-hearted, generous 
frankness, and a rich vein of refined, delicate humor, which 
gave a nameless charm to her conversatioii ; and there was 
a magnetism in her voice which can never be forgotten by 
those who came under its influence. Like the odor of the 
orange blossom Avhen inhaled in its native clime, its sweet- 
ness lingered always in the memory. 

The writer knew Mrs. Harrington well for nearly half a 
century, and amid all the ordeals through which she 
passed — as a member of society, and as a Christian, does not 
remember to have ever heard an unkind criticism upon her 
conduct. 

JOHN SCHUYLER CARWILE. 

[*' Manhood begins when we have in any way made truce with Ne- 
cessity ; begins even wlien we have surrendered to Necessity, as the 
most part only do ; but begins joyfully and hopefully only when we 
have reconciled ourselves to Necessity; and thus in reality triumphed 
over it, and felt that in Necessity we are free."]— Thomas Carlyle. 

John Schuyler Carwile was born on the 17th day of Feb- 
ruary 178G, in Laurens County, S. C. He was the son of 
Zachariah and Mary (M'Mahan) Carwile. His father was 
aso]dier of the Revolution, and fought under Cleveland at 
the battle of King's Mouiitain. His paternal ancestors 
came from Wales, and it is supposed, (but not definitely as- 
certained), that his maternal ancestors came from Scotland. 
His parents were possessed of very little of this world's 
goods. They were honest, intelligent and respectable, and 
esteemed for their integrity and moral virtues. Mr. Car- 
wile's early advantages were very limited, the whole period 



Reminiscences of Neivberry. 233 

of his school education did not embrace more then two 
years. He spent the greater part of his youth in laborious 
occupations ; chiefly in farm work. At one time he under- 
took to learn the carpenter's trade, but as he has been heard 
to say : He did not possess sufficient mechanical ingenuity 
and skill to make even a respectable journeyman carpenter. 

He did not take pleasure in his work. ISTot that he was 
indolent. On the contrary he was full of energy, and was 
too honest and conscientious to neglect any of his appointed 
tasks, but he felt that he was born for something beyond the 
life he was leading. He had a burning thirst for knowledge 
and had already caught glimpses of a world beyond the 
confines of the limited sphere in which he moved, where 
men were fighting their way up to positions of honor and 
usefulness In the intervals of his work by day, and by 
the light of flaming pine-knots at night, he practiced 
writing, studied arithmetic and read everything he could lay 
his hands upon. His reading was necessarily limited; books 
were luxuries then enjoyed only by a few ; but his eager 
desire to inform himself attracted the attention of the more 
thoughtful neighbors, who lent him such books as they had. 
He soon became an expert penman, a good reader, and an 
authority in arithmetical problems ; and by the time he 
had reached his majority, was looked upon as the best in- 
formed young man in his neighborhood. 

Newspapers were very seldom seen in the country then. 
At musters, estate sales, or barbecues in the nei.^hborhood, 
if any one was so fortunate as to have a newspaper he (Mr 
C.) was generally called upon to read its contents to the as- 
sembly. This he usually did, in summer seated be- 
neath the spreading branches of some venerable tree, or 
in winter, on the sunny side of a barn or some other con- 
venient building, with his listeners seated around him. 



234 Reminiscences of Netrberry. 

Ill his early manhood he came to Newberry District and 
opened a school in what was known as the "Pitts Settle- 
ment." He continued to teach school successfully for ten 
years. The venerable Mrs. Higgins * widow of the late 
Hon. F- B. Higgins, \ette of Newberry, is probably the only 
one of his scholars now living. Following the custom of 
the times, he enforced rigid discipline in his school, and 
punished with the rod every offender. He has been heard 
to say that he had often " dressed off" young fellows as 
large and strong as himself for disobeying the rules of his 
school. Mr. Car wile, when a young man, had a splendid 
physique and robust health. He was interested in every- 
thing that concerned the industrial and social life of the 
people, and entered with keen enjoyment into all the prim- 
itive and simple recreations and amusements of the day. 
But he did not indulge in idleness and dissipation himself, 
nor encourage it in others. Nor was he unmindful of his 
personal appearance. He alwaj^s dressed in good taste and 
as well as his circumstances would permit. In fact he was 
considered a rather stylish young man. I have heard him 
relate that he and a young friend once rode on horseback, 
from their homes to a place near Spring Hill, in Lexington 
County — a distance of probably more than thirty miles— to 
leave an order tor a fur hat for each, to be made by a cele- 
brated hatter who lived there. 

It is to be regretted that he did not talk much about his 
early life. He seldom alluded to his early struggles or his 
successes. Even in his latter years he did not fall into the 
almost universal habit of dwelling upon the past in his 
conversation. 

He was married on the 20th of December, 1810, to Eliza- 
beth Williams, the daughter of Stephen and Catharine 

*Mrs. Higgins died (since this was written) on tlie 2d of May, 1889. 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 235 

(Cole) Williams, of Newberry County. Shortly after his 
marriage, he settled on a farm in the western part of New- 
berry County, about ten miles from the village. 

On the 9th day of November, 1811, he united with the 
Bush River (Baptist) Church. In 1831, he was dismissed at 
his own request from that Church, in order to unite in the 
organization of the Baptist Church at Newberry, of which 
in some sense he may be said to have been the founder. He 
was the first Deacon elected by the Newberry Church, and 
continued in that office until his death. As a Christian, he 
seemed to prefer that his deeds rather than his professions, 
should speak for him, and it is perhaps not undue praise to 
say that in this he succeeded. 

In December, 1815, he was elected by the Legislature, 
Tax Collector for Newberry County. At that time there 
were no banking facilities in the State outside of Charleston 
and Columbia. The tax collector was compelled in making 
his rounds, to carry the money collected about his person, 
and finally to carry it to Columbia in order to make a 
settlement with the Treasurer of the State. 

In one of his annual trips to Columbia, Mr. Carwile 
traveled in a spring wagon, generally known as a " Yankee 
wagon;" In undertaking to cross a swollen stream 
somewhere between Newberry and Columbia, the 
current carried both horse and wagon down the stream. 
Although encumbered with a heavy overcoat and with his 
money about his person, Mr. Carwile plunged into the 
stream, and with difficulty swam ashore. Fortunately his 
horse and wagon were rescued uninjured, and he spent the 
night at the house of an honest German, who assisted him 
in spreading out his bank bills before the fire to dry, and in 
watching them until morning 

Mr. Carwile continued to reside on his farm (with the ex- 



236 Reminiscences of Neivberry. 

ception of four years during his first term as sheriff), until 
1828 ; when he removed to Newberry where he remained 
until his death. 

He devoted himself with energy to his farm, and by 
reason of his good judgment and practical knowledge soon 
became the leading man of his neighborhood. " He 
possessed to the full that 'business' faculty so frequently 
despised, but which out of ordinary material often makes a 
clever man ; and without which the cleverest man alive 
can never be altogether a great man." He was called upon 
to settle disputes between neighbors, to adjust matters of 
business, to write wills and deeds of conveyance, to ad- 
minister upon estates, to act as guardian for orphan chil- 
dren and to protect the rights of widows. He accepted 
these trusts cheerfully, and discharged them with fidelity 
and strict integrity, and in many cases without compensa- 
tion. He was grateful for the confidence reposed in him, 
but it did not make him vain. He worked for the love of 
work and encouraged others to do so. 

His farm lay in one of the fairest portions of Newberry, 
and he added to it from time to time, other lands pur- 
chased chiefly from his neighbors who— contrary to his 
advice— were enticed away by stories of the wonderful 
richness and fertility of the lands in newer States. 

The same process was going on all around him, so that 
in after years the lands of that part of the County fell into 
the hands of a few persons. It was inspiring to ride over 
their extensive fields of grain and cotton, but the picture 
had its sombre tints. Here and there could be seen stand- 
ing in the midst of these farms, groups of venerable apple 
trees, and as you drew near to them you could discover the 
debris of a chimney or a solitary hearth-stone — the silent 
witness that there once stood on the spot a human habi- 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 237 

tation ill which had lived, perhaps a happy family, who 
had long since gone to seek another home. On Mr. Car- 
wile's farm of about one thousand acres, there had once 
lived five or six families. He was devoted to his adopted 
County ; the stories of fertile lands elsewhere could not 
move him. He always insisted that there could not be any- 
where a more delightful country than Newberry County ; 
there was to his eyes a beauty in her streams and forests 
and hills and valleys which could not be found elsewhere, 
and under the influence of patriotic emotions, he would 
often declare, that beneath her generous bosom he desired 
that his body should find its last resting place. 

In January, 1820, he was elected Sheriff of Newberry 
County, and served his term of four years. In 1828, he was 
re-elected to that office and serv^ed another full term. 

Judge O'Neall in his Annals of Newberry, thus speaks of 
him : " The writer has had occasion to notice carefully for 
thirty-eight years, the manner in which sheriffs perform 
their duties; and he has no hesitation in saying Mr. Car- 
wile is the best sheriff who has ever come under his obser- 
vation His books are in the Sheriff 's office at Newberry, 
and they are worthy of any counting-house in the State. 
Every transaction can be traced without difficulty. He 
never used the money of a party ; he never was told to 
collect money and failed to do it. If he chose to befriend a 
debtor, he paid the money to the creditor and thus was 
both kind and just. 

"After he ceased to be sheriff he became the assistant of Mr. 
Y. J. Harrington as Clerk and Register of Newberry County. 
This office he filled until November, 1850, when he was 
called to follow the remains of his friend, Mr. Harrington, 
to their last resting place. Subsequently he was appointed 
by the Governor, Clerk pro tempore. He steadily refused to 



238 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

be a candidate for the vacant office. In discharging his 
duties as assistant Clerk, and Clerk pro tempore, it is but 
justice to say he was fully equal to his friend, Y. J. Harring- 
ton, who was '^primus intei' pciTes.''^ 

Mr. Carwile was a clear-headed, sagacious man of busi- 
ness, a wise counsellor and a faithful friend. He filled many 
positions of public and private trust, and it can be truly 
said of him that he seldom failed in any of his undertak- 
ings and never disappointed the expectation of his friends. 
They key to his success was his courageous and unflinching 
devotion to duty. He was decided and outspoken in the ex- 
pressions of his views upon questions of public interest, 
but was never an unreasonable or bitter partisan. He was 
fair and just towards those who difltered from him. He was 
always on the side of virtue and good order. Though de- 
prived of the benefits of a thorough school training in his 
youth, he became in the best sense of the term an educated 
man, his education having been secured by diligent reading 
and observation, association with cultured people, and the 
constant exercise of his naturally strong intellect. One 
might have inferred from the purity of his English and his 
excellent conversational powers, that he w^as a college-bred 
man. His temper was naturally quick, but he had it almost 
completely under his control. He had occasional seasons of 
depression of spirits, from the effects, chiefly, of bodily in- 
firmity ; but he vvas generally cheerful and hopeful. No 
one enjoyed more than he social intercourse with his friends, 
or relished more a really humorous story or joke, even if it 
was at his own expense. His laughter was hearty 
and contagious. He was a man of striking appear- 
ance and pleasing address. He usually wore— in the 
latter part of his liJe— a black suit with a white cravat of 
soft muslin folded twice about his neck, after the style we 



Reminiscences of Netrherry. 239 

see in pictures of Gen. Washington and others of the " old 
regime.^' His style of dress gave him somewhat the ap- 
pearance of a clergymen. Indeed, on occasional jaunts 
which he made to Columbia and other places, ferrymen and 
toll-bridge keepers would sometimes decline at first to re- 
ceive the money he offered them, saying : " that preachers 
were allowed to pass free." He also received many letters 
with the title " Revd." prefixed to the address. This rose 
no doubt from his having for a long time conducted the cor- 
respondence of Bible and other religious societies of which 
he was a member, and often secretary and treasurer. 

He achieved honorable distinction among the men of the 
community in which he lived so long, and succeeded in sur- 
roundiug himself and his family with the comforts and re- 
finements of life ; but he never forgot his early struggles, 
and was always ready to extend his sympathy and aid to 
the needy and suffering, however humble or obscure they 
might be. While he never harbored malice in his heart 
against any one, he heartily despised all hypocricy and 
double-dealing. 

He died on the 8th of November, 1852. His body is 
sleeping by the side of his wife, (who died in 1848,) in the 
cemetery at Bush River Church, where six of his children 
and many of his beloved friends have found a resting 
place. 

" No life can be pure in its purpose or strong in its strife, 
And all life not be purer and stronger thereby."' 

Y. J. Harrington, and John S. Carwile, '''■par nobile 
fratrumP The names of these two men are inseparably 
connected. The friendship which existed between them 
was as rare as it was beautiful. They became warmly 
attached to each other in early life, and their devotion con- 
tinued to grow with increasing years. They were associa- 



240 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

ted in various kinds of business, and occupied the same 
office for more ttian fifteen years. 

Ttiey were both men of decided opinions, and sometimes 
differed from each other in their views of political and 
social questions. But their oj^posing views were never 
allowed to interrupt for a moment, the steady flow of the 
current of their friendship. From the time of their first 
acquaintance until they were separated by death, an un- 
pleasant word was never spoken between them. 

Mr. Carwiie survived Mr, Harrington's death about two 
years. It is believed that he never recovered from the shock 
of that event, and when the sad tidings of the departure of 
his life-long associate, and steadfast friend were brought to 
him, he could doubtless have exclaimed, in the language of 
David, in his touching and pathetic lament over Jonathan, 
^'I am distressed for thee, my brother, very pleasant hast 
thou been to me, thy love to me was wonderful, passing the 
love of woman." 

FRANCIS BERNARD HIGGINS. 

Francis Bernard Higgins, was born in Newberry County, 
near Higgins' Ferry, on the Saluda River, on the 22d of 
October, 1794. He was the son of Francis and Sarah (Coxe) 
Higgins. When he was three years old his mother died, 
leaving beside himself another son, nine years old, and a 
daughter six years old. The daughter afterwards became 
the wife of William Wilson, who was for many years, the 
Judge of the Court of Ordinary for Newberry. After the 
death of his mother, his sister was sent to friends in Edge- 
field, to be taken care of ; the two* boys remaining on the 
plantation with their father. As the eldest boy was attend- 
ing school, Francis naturally had a lonely life, and eagerly 



Reminiscences of Nevjberry. 241 

looked forward to the time when he would be old enough 
to go to school himself; his father having promised that he 
should begin wlien he was six years of age. But he never 
enjoyed the pleasure of attending school with his brother, 
who died before the long wished for time had come. His 
father, mindful, however, of his promise, carried him when 
he was six years old to the school of ''Master Howe," a cel- 
ebrated teacher, who taught near the Quaker Meeting 
House, leaving him in the care of Col. John Summers, who 
lived in the neighborhood. He remained at this school 
about two years, and until Master Howe's death. He then 
attended a school in Edgefield County, taught by Gillson 
Yarborough, boarding during the time at the home of Gen. 
Butler, the grandfather of Gen. M C. Butler, present United 
States Senator from South Carolina. 

He seems to have had a happy life at this school, and in 
Gen. Butler's family, and he entertained a strong affection 
for the people of Edgefield as long as he lived. Another 
thing which endeared Edgefield to him was, that his step- 
mother who came to his home two years after the death of 
his mother, came from that County. The coming of his 
step-mother, whom he always spoke of as one of the kind- 
est and gentlest of women brought back the absent sister 
and thus his vacations were rendered brighter and happier. 
It so happened that by reason of his attendance at school 
and college, and the study of his chosen profession, he 
never lived at home a whole year at a time after he was six 
years old. 

In 1806 he entered the Newberry Academy, which had 

just been opened, and continued to attend that school about 

six years, boarding in the village, with the exception of 

one spring and summer of the time, when with a view to 

the improvement of h\B health, his father required him to 
16 



242 Reminiscences of Neivberry. 

attend school from home, riding eight miles on horseback 
and arriving in time for roll-call each morning. 

He had prepared himself to enter the South Carolina Col- 
lege in October, 1811, but for some reason did not go there 
until January, 1812. He then applied for admission into 
the Junior Class, for which he had prepared himself. As 
three months of the session had already past, he was in- 
formed (after examination) that he would be received pro- 
vided he could get some one to hear him recite, out of regu- 
lar hours, in order that he might make up for the time lost. 
Mr. James Gregg, then a tutor in tlie college, kindly con- 
sented to hear his recitations, and he was allowed 
to take his place in the Junior Class. This kind- 
ness on the part of Mr. Gregg, Mr. Higgins always remem- 
bered with gratitude. Years afterwards, when they were 
both members of the Senate of South Carolina, and some 
matter of importance was suddenly brought up and earn- 
estly debated, Col. Gregg— then suffering from a tempo- 
rary aggravation of deafness— said to Mr. Higgins : "You 
must pay me now for helping you forward in college, by 
keeping me informed as to the discussion going on, so that 
I may know how to vote," And frequently afterwards Col. 
Gregg would notify Mr H. that " he must be ears for him." 

He was graduated from the South Carolina College in 
December 1813 standing third in a class of thirtj^ three ; 
Governor McDuffie being first. 

In 1814 he read law at Edgefield Court House, under El- 
dred Simkins, Esq., and in 1815 continued the study of law 
at Newberry under Anderson Crenshaw, Esq. After being 
admitted to the Bar, he settled at Spartanburg, where he 
remained only a short time and then returned to Newberry. 

Upon the organization of tlie Court of Equity, in 1817 — 
and within two years from the time he began to practice 



Reminiscences of Newberrif. 243 

law — he was elected by the Legislature of South Carolina 
Commissioner in Equity for the District of Newberry. He 
continued in that ofhce until December, 1826, when he re- 
signed, and at the same time retired from the practice of 
law. His health had become enfeebled, and he resolved to 
devote himself to his planting interests and land survey- 
ing, in order that he might enjoy the benefits of out-door 
life. 

On the 12th of October, 1820, he was married to Elizabeth 
A. Caldwell, the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Wil- 
liams) Caldwell, of Newberry District. His venerable 
widow, in her eighty-fourth year, is now living with the 
family of h£*r son-in-law. Dr. James Mcintosh, at New- 
berry, in the house that has been her home for more than 
sixty-five years. 

He was elected to the State Senate in 1832, while away 
from home on a visit to the States of Alabama and Missis- 
sippi, whither he had gone to inspect the country, with a 
view to removing from South Carolina. His election to the 
Senate, under such flattering circumstances, decided him 
to remain in his native State. He continued to be a mem- 
ber of the Senate for three successive terms. In 1844 he de- 
clined a re-election, and retired from public life. 

As Commissioner in Equity, he was prompt and efficient. 
His administration of the business of that office was highly 
commended by the Bench and the Bar. 

During the twelve years of his service in the Senate, he 
was a laborious, faithful and efficient member, and was 
always a member of some of the most important commit- 
tees. In all things relating to the statistics of the State, he 
was regarded as high authority. He once published an in- 
teresting and exhaustive statement, giving the comparative 
population and wealth of the different Counties of the State. 



244 Bernini scences of Newherri/. 

He made no pretensions to oratory and seldom made 
speeches. He was always at his post, and kept himself 
fully informed as to every measure brought before the 
Senate. His retirement from that body was much regretted 
by his fellow-Senators, as well as his constituents. 

He was an excellent mathematician, and as a land sur- 
veyor — both as to the accuracy of his surveys, and the 
beauty and correctness of the delineations of his plots was 
never surpassed. 

He was possessed of a naturally" vigorous intellect which 
he had greatly improved by study and observation, was 
always a reader of books, delighting most in the Bible, 
standard historical works and the ancient classics. He had 
a wonderful knowledge of words, and could give at once the 
chief definitions of almost any word in the English lan- 
guage. His conversation was entertaining and pleasant. 
Having a good memory, he had treasured up much that he 
had read, and many traditions of the past. He was ver^^ 
domestic in his habits and tastes, and fully enjo^^ed the 
pleasures of home and the family circle. His manners were 
courteous and engaging. He was kind-hearted and gen- 
erous and singularly free from malice or injustice, in his 
intercourse with his fellow-men. 

In the afternoon of the 29th of December, 1863, he attend- 
ed the funeral services of his life-long friend, Chief-Justice 
O'Neall, (who had died suddenl^^,) and occupied, on that 
occasion for the last time, his accustomed seat in the Bap- 
tist Church at Newberry, of which he had been a member 
since 1831. In the evening, after his return from the 
funeral, he read to the family the 14th Chapter of the Gospel 
by John, and in commenting in a familiar way upon it, 
said : "That he had, in his earlier life, often expressed the 
wish that he might not die suddenly ; but that all appre- 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 245 

heDsion and concern about the manner of his death had 
long since passed away, and if his summons should be as 
sudden as O'Neall's he was willing to go. And trusted 
that through the atonement of Christ and the free and un- 
merited grace of God, he was ready for the call whenever 
and however it might come." In less than ten hours his 
summons came. On the following morning (December 30th, 
1863), he was stricken with apoplexy and died in a few 
hours. 

DRAYTON NANCE. 

Drayton Nance was born at Newberry in 1800, and spent 
^the whole of his life in his native town. He was the son of 
Major Frederick Nance. His mother's maiden name was 
Elizabeth Rutherford. He received his school education 
chiefly, if not altogether in Newberry, and was graduated 
from the South Carolina College in 1821. He read law after 
his graduation, and upon his admission to the Bar, entered 
upon the practice of his profession at Newberry. In lb26, 
he was elected by the Legislature, Commissioner in Equity 
for Newberry District. He held the office of Commissioner 
by successive elections until 1838, when he declined to 
serve longer. As Commissioner in Equity he displayed 
talents and ability of a high order. 

After leaving the Commissioners' office he retired to 
private life. He had an ample estate, and from the income 
•derived from his plantations and from other sources, was 
enabled to live in comfort and entertain his friends with 
old-time Southern hospitality. 

He could have had almost any position of honor or trust, 
within the gift of the people of his native District ; but he 
steadily resisted all efforts made to withdraw him from his 



246 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

retirement. This was very much regretted by his friends, 
who believed that his talents, education and sterling hon- 
esty fitted him for the halls of legislation, either State or 
National. But though he refused to enter the arena of 
politics, he kept himself abreast of the times with reference 
to all the jDolitical and social movements and problems of 
the day, and was thoroughly familiar with the political 
history of the country. 

He Avas a prompt, reliable and clear-sighted man of 
business. In the administration of the affairs of the Com- 
missioner's office, and other public trusts, and in the man- 
agement of some large estates, — which by reason of the 
minority of the heirs-at-law, remained in his hands as 
executor, for a number of years— he exhibited sound practi- 
cal judgment, and unusual financial skill. While I have no 
doubt that he would have succeeded in making an honora- 
ble name for himself in political life, I think it is probable 
that he would have succeeded quite as well if he had 
devoted himself to commercial pursuits. Btit he preferred 
a quiet, peaceful home life, before all the honors and en- 
ticements of a public career. He was a genuine type of the 
old-time planter gentleman, of whom so few are left 
among us. 

He did not often address public assemblies, btit whenever 
he did, he invariably secured the undivided attention of 
his hearers. His delivery was earnest and impressive, and 
not without some of the elements of true oratory. 

In the year 184-, I was present at a convention of 
delegates which met at Greenville, 8. C, to consider the 
practicability of building the Greenville and Columbia 
Railroad. During the progress of the meeting Mr. Nance 
delivered a speech in which, after pointing out, with great 
clearness, the importance and value of a railroad in devel- 



Reminiscences of Neivbcrry. 247 

oping the resources and increasing the wealth of a country, 
he made on eloquent appeal to the patriotic motives of his 
hearers, which thoroughly aroused the convention. The 
Hon. Joel R. Poinsett (who had once been Minister to 
Mexico, and was Secretary of War in Van Buren's Cabinet), 
was present as a delegate, and was an ardent supporter of 
the projected enterprise. When Mr. Nance had concluded 
his speech, Mr. Poinsett walked across the hall, and grasp- 
ing Mr. Nance by the hand, thanked him most cordially 
for his admirable and timely address. 

Mr. Nance was not an indiscriminate reader. He read 
chiefly standard, historical and classical authors, and very 
little light literature. "But there is one book which the 
study of all other literature will only render more precious, 
while at the same time it is so surpassing and universal in 
its range, that all other literature serves only for its foil or 
its illustration, and in which there is more wisdom than in 
all other books of the world put together;" which he read 
constantly and thoughtfully. His knowledge of the Bible 
was surprising, and from that Book he drew the inspiration 
of his life. He loved the Bible for its simplicity, its poetry, 
its grandeur, and above all for its Divine message of redemp- 
tion to man. 

I would commend the example of Mr. Nance to the young 
of the present time. "The indiscriminate devouring of news- 
papers, magazines and periodicals has much to answer for. 
It wastes our time, it distracts the attention and weakens the 
memory. Further than this, a habit of indiscriminate read- 
ing tends to foster a degraded fondness for personalities and 
puerilities. The diseased taste for gossip which is fostered 
by such frivolous reading passes readily into envy, malice 
and all uncharitableness." 

There was no mistaking Mr. Nance's position on any im- 



248 Reminiscences of Newherry. 

portant question. He had the courage of his convictions 
under all circumstances. There was no concealment or 
hypocrasy about anything he did. He had a high sense of 
honor, and scorned a mean act. His temper was somewhat 
variable ; he occasionally fell into a condition of despon- 
dency, which would sometimes be mistaken by those who 
did not know him well for indifference. He was really a 
just and generous man, "who withheld not good from 
them to whom it was due, when it was in the power of his 
hand to do it." His heart was quickly moved by the story 
or exhibition of human suffering, and his sympathy as 
quickly aroused to benevolent action : 

" Pitiful lie was 
To all who suffered, measuring 
By the large measure of his own deep heart, 
And by the vastness of its treasure." 

Notwithstanding the high and honorable position he 
occupied in the estimation of the community, he was 
modest and unpretending, and it is not an exaggeration to 
say that he always underrated his own abilities. 

He was married on the 3rd of April, 1827, to Miss Lucy 
Williams, who died on the 7th day of November, 1847. She 
was the daughter of Washington and Sarah (Griffin) 
Williams, of Laurens District, S. C. 

On the 11th day of February, 1852, he was again married 
to Mrs. Arianna Livingston, of Florida, who survived 
him and died in Florida some years ago. 

On the 11th of February, 1832, Mr. Nance united with the 
Baptist Church at Newberry, and in 1831, was elected one 
of the Deacons of that Church. This office he continued to 
fill until his death. 

The last act of his life was one of self-denial and mercy. 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 249 

While on a visit to his plantation, in Laurens County, he 
sat up all night watching and caring for some of his slaves, 
who were very ill. On the following morning, (September, 
the 13th, 1<^5(),) he had a stroke of apoplexy, from the effects 
of which he died in a few hours. Thus passed away, in the 
maturity of his powers, a man upon whose reputation, as 
public officer, private citizen, and Christian gentleman, 
there never fell a stain nor rested a shadow. 

COL. JAMES D. .NANCE. 

James Drayton Nance, was born at Newberry, on the lOth 
October, 1837, He was the son of Drayton and Lucy 
(Williams) Nance. From his childhood he was dis- 
tinguished for his truthfulness and ready obedience to 
those in authority over him But he was by no means a 
weakling. He was always ready to assert and maintain 
his rights, even among his school-fellows, and very early 
manifested that spirit of fairness and justice which so dis- 
tinguished his life. He received his school education at 
Newberry, and was graduated from the Citadel Military 
Academy of Charleston. 

He had not reached his majority when his father died, 
yet he seemed at once to appreciate fully the loss of his only 
surviving parent ; especially as it affected two of his sisters 
who were then of tender years, and had not completed their 
education. His letters written to them while they were 
away from him and at school, reveal a thoughtful tender- 
ness and a wisdom and discretion rarely to be found in 
one so young. While he did not fail to counsel them to 
cultivate those accomplishments which would fit them to 
move with ease and grace in society ; he was most anxious 
that they should diligently pursue studies which would 



250 Reminiscence.s 0/ Newberry. 

stimulate their intellects, elevate their thoughts and feel- 
ings, and enlarge their views of the real duties of life. So 
that when their school-life was ended they could look 
forward to something far higher and more ennobling than 
the conquests of mere women of society. All those who 
ever came in contact with these two sisters— the elder of 
whom married Robert L. McCaughrin of Newberry, and 
the younger. William Y. Fair, also of Newberry, can testify 
how well they repaid the brother for his affectionate care 
and oversight by following implicitly his wise and judicious 
•counsel. Both of these noble and accomplished women 
died in 1885. 

In 1859, Col. Nance was admitted to the Bar, and began 
the practice of law at Newberry. His prospects for success 
in his profession were very promising, but his career as a 
lawyer was cut short by the " War of Secession." 

In the winter of 18G0-'61, he was unanimously elected 
Captain of the ' Quitman Rifle-;," an infantry company 
formed in Newberry, and afterwards incorporated in the 
Third Regiment South Carolina Volunteers. With his 
company he repaired to Columbia, S. C, in April 1861, and 
was mustered into the service of the Confederate States. 

At the age of seventeen, Col. Nance united with the 
Bapt'st Church, at Newberry, and from that period until 
his death — amid the peaceful pursuits of his home life, as 
well as the fiery ordeals of his military career, was dis- 
tinguished for his Christian consistency. 

Like his great leader, Gen. Lee, he regarded his duty to 
God as above every other consideration. A member of his 
company relates, that having been ordered to proceed by 
railway to Columbia, on Sunday April the 12th, 18H1, Capt. 
Nance, after the company had been drawn up in line, and 
was ready to march to the railway station, said to his men : 



Reminiscences of Neivberry. 251 

" While it is our duty to obey our orders to proceed to 
Columbia, let us not forget that this is the Sabbath day." 
The same gentleman relates that, the night before the 
storming of the works on Maryland Heights, while he lay 
awake, at midnight, his mind filled with deep concern and 
anxiety, as he contemplated the desperate character of the 
work before them on the morrow ; he heard the subdued 
voice of some one engaged in earnest prayer. After listening 
intently for some time, he recognized the voice as that of 
his brave and faithful commander. "The effect of the 
prayer on myself," said the gentleman, 'was to calm and 
quiet my mind, and I was enabled under its sacred influ- 
ence to resign myself to sleep." 

Capt. Nance, with his company was engaged in the first 
battle ot Manassas. 

On the l()th of May, 1862, upon the reorganization of the 
Third Regiment, (the time of enlistment of the men hav- 
ing expired,) Capt Nance was elected its colonel, a position 
for which he was eminently fitted. Though young in years 
his character was fully formed and widely known. Daunt- 
less but discreet, buoyant and hopeful, yet fully alive to the 
stern duties of life ; with a clear head and great self-posses- 
sion, he was in every way reliable. 

As Colonel he commanded his regiment in the battles of 
Seven Pines, Savage Station, Malcolm Hill, Maryland 
Heights, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, (where he was 
wounded,) Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Knoxvilie and the 
Wilderness, where on the 6th of May, 1864, he was in- 
stantly killed. 

His body was brought home and kept in the Baptist 
Church all night, guarded by furloughed soldiers, and 
after a funeral discourse by Rev. J. J. Brantly, D. D. 
the next day, was buried in Rosemont Cemetery, where 



252 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

a chaste and fitting monument now marks its last rest- 
ing place. 

It is always a most difficult task to follow up and de- 
scribe the life and conduct of any single soldier, throughout 
the campaigns and battles of a long war, such as the late 
conflict between the States. And it is especially difficult, 
if not impossible, to do so within the limits of a brief bio- 
graphical sketch. I can therefore only present one or two 
incidents in the career of Col. Nance — as given to me by 
some of his comrades in arms — which may serve to illus- 
trate something of his skill, coolness and courage, and his- 
power to inspire his men with his own dauntless spirit in 
battle. 

"At Sharpsburg," says Gen. Y. J. Pope, '• I knew him 
(Col. Nance) under the heaviest fire to change direction 
and bring his regiment back from an advanced and wholly 
unsupported front, by column of fours. It was inspiring to 
hear his voice swell in praise of the officers and men of his 
magnificent regiment for their heroic conduct in this battle." 

"At Knoxville, (says Gen. Pope,) his regiment was se- 
lected from the corps (Longstreet's) to drive a brigade of 
Federal troops from a position much coveted by the lieuten- 
ant-general commanding. To say that the fire was fierce is 
to describe the situation very mildly. Those who were 
there say it was the deadliest fire they ever knew. The 
eyes of the whole army were upon this band. At one time 
the advance hesitated. Instantly Col. Nance sprang to the 
flag and, seizing it, led his men so intrepidl}^, that they 
burst through the enemies' works, and the field was won. 
Being on my back at home while this was going on he 
wrote me of the conduct of the regiment in words of warm- 
est praise, but not one word as to the part he bore in the 
battle, notwithstanding the closeness of our intimacy." 



/Reminiscences of Netvberry, 253 

The writer of the following tribute to a brother officer is, 
the Hon. William Wallace, of Columbia, S. C, who was 
colonel of the second regiment South Carolina Volunteers. 

Columbia, S. C, December 2, 1886. 
John B. Carwile, Esq., 

My Dear Sir : — I received your kind favo r of the ?9th 
ultimo, and regret that my memory is so defective as to 
matters which transpired so long ago, that it will not enable 
me to recall in detail all that I knew of Col. James D. Nance. 

I knew him well, and a more courteous, amiable, culti- 
vated and agreeable gentleman I have never met in social 
intercourse. And as an officer and soldier he had not a su- 
perior, if an equal, in Kershaw's Brigade. 

His education in the INIilitary Academy had made him 
familiar with all the duties of the officer and soldier, and 
we all looked forward with pride to his permanently as- 
suming the command of the Brigade by commission, when 
his bright and promising career was cut short by death, on 
the battlefield of the Wildnerness. 

I saw him once in battle ; it was at Knoxville, when his 
regiment was ordered to carry a breastwork on a hill. And 
although there was a great slaughter of his men, and they 
€ould not advance for the murderous fire that was poured 
into them at a distance of thirty yards or less, they did not 
waver or fall back but with the aid of the skirmishers — 
who flanked the enemies' position, drove them from it after 
capturing many prisoners, the colonel of the regiment 
amongst them. 

I was struck with Col. Nance's coolness on that trying oc- 
casion (a quality so essential to a commanding officer) 
which commanded the confidence and admiration of the 
Brigade. 



254 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

Lieut-Colonel Gaillard was killed in the same battle (Wil- 
derness) and I heard the soldiers say, who saw them lying 
together, after the dead had been removed to the rear, that 
it was the saddest sight that had met their gaze during the 
war. 

Thanking you for giving me the opportunity of express- 
ing my estimate of Col. Nance, and regretting that I cannot 
go more into particulars, 

I am, very truly, yours, 

WM. WALLACE. 

The reader will observe that Col. Wallace says : " We all 
looked forward with pride to his permanently assuming the 
command of the Brigade, by commission." 

It was generally understood than Col. Xance, (at the 
time of his death), was to be, or had been already promoted 
to the rank of Brigadier-General, and that he would prob- 
ably have received his commission in a short time, if he had 
lived. 

Col. Nance inherited the Roman features of his father's 
character, as well as the patriotic heroism of his maternal 
ancestors. His mother was the granddaughter of Col. 
James Williams, of the American Army, who was killed at 
the battle of King's Mountain while gallantly leading on 
his men. 

I think it was generally admitted that Col. Nance was, 
at the time of his death, the foremost young man of New- 
berry. Although he was only twenty-three years of age 
when he entered the army, the people had already learned 
to trust him implicitly. His speeches, both in the court- 
room and before popular assemblies were fluent, earnest 
and effective. He made no attempt at mere oratorical dis- 
play, nor did he make excited appeals to the passions and 



Hejniniscences of Newberry, 255 

prejudices of his hearers, but sought, rather, to impress upon 
them the convictions of his own sober judgment. He very 
early manifested a lieen interest in politics, especially na- 
tional politics, and watched with eager solicitude the course 
of events which led to the formation of the Southern Con- 
federacy. He was an ardent " Secessionist," and yielded up 
his life a willing sacrifice for the cause which he believed 
with all his soul to be right and just. 

In person Col. Nance was a handsome man. He was of 
medium stature, his figure erect and well proportioned, his 
features regular, and the habitual expression of his face se- 
rene and pleasant. In his manners he was courteous and 
dignified. His general appearance was suggestive of great 
firmness and resolution. His engaging social qualities, his 
sound judgment, his transparent honesty, his unselfish pa- 
riotism, his high sense of justice, his unflinching courage 
and devotion to duty, and his excellent Christian example, 
combined to form one of those thoroughly balanced and 
admirable characters which appear only at long intervals in 
the history of a community. 

The following lines, in memory of Col. Nance, were writ- 
ten by J. F. J. Caldwell, Esquire, of Newberry, and pub- 
lished in the Columbia Guardian, newspaper, in 1864 : 



IN MEMORIAM. 

J. D. N., 

Who fell in the Wilderness, May 6th, 1864. 



It seemed to me impossible, though oft that dreadful day, 
Cam.e soldiers from along the lines, with tidings of the fray, 
And all agreed that thou hadst fallen, death-smitten in the wood, 
When first the foe was Lurned and driven, in terror and with blood. 



256 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

Full well I knew the dangers of that dark, entangled place, 
For thou and thine were thrust in front, and dashed into the face 
Of massed battalions hurrying on, elate with victory, 
O'er lines of men who ne'er before, were known to yield or fly. 
The yesterday we met th<)se hordes, with our own little band. 
And broke their heavy ranks, and drove them back on every hand; 
But now at morn they moved upon us in their full array, 
And swept the bruised and wearied line, that strove to stop the way. 
Lee, stern old wariior, stayed the fight, and Hill, of eagle eye- 
Alas ! to small effect, for't seemed, we should but stand to die ; 
Till Longstreet brought his close brigades, of soldiers fresh and brave, 
And rushed upon the foemen like a stormy ocean wave. 
The battle joined, th' opposing columns met in deadly shock, 
With shout and shriek and roll of arms, that made the earth to rock; 
Charging and slaying, till the foe fell back on every side, 
And thou lay'st down in victory's arms, and sank, and smiled, and 

died ! 
Oh, for the weakness of the heart, the blindness of the mind !— 
I could not feel that thou wert dead, and even dared to find 
Reasons within my wayward soul, to show thy valued lite 
Should be preserved immortal through this long, this mortal strife. 
I felt that thou should'st live to see our country free from chains— 
To see the light of peace once more smile o'er her wasted plains — 
To see the triumph and the power of thine own favorite cause, 
And help complete the fabric of our liberty and our laws : 
I felt that thou shouldst live to bless the hearts that loved thee so— 
That Love and Wealth and Fame and Pleasure round thee full would 

flow ; 
And, finally, i)i good old age, thy spirit pass away. 
Like summer sun in golden clouds after a long, bright day ! 
Yet thou art dead— dead e'er thy life had reached its golden prime — 
Thou of the stainless heart and mind, thou of the soul sublime ! 
And we who loved to plan for thee long usefulness and fame 
Are left alone to grasp a lading memory and a name. 
O for thy mighty heart of steel, thy firm and steady hand ! 
Thy courage, truth and purity, that like the rocks did stand ! 
O for thj'^ kindly voice! and Othat sweet and sunny smile. 
So potent every weary heart of sorrow to beguile ! 
Yet are these not lost, though thy mortal form has passed from sight ; 
We'll bear them with us through the storm of Liberty's great fight; 



Reminiscences of Neivberry. 257 

And they shall tell us how to brave, to battle with the wi'ong ; 
And cheer us on to seek and strive, to bear and yet be strong ! 
They gild the past with beauteous light, they future treasures ope, 
Enlarging our contracted thoughts into a wider scope ; 
Till rising past our daily life, beyond our country even. 
They draw us up where thou art gone, unto the blisslul Heaven ! 
Sleep on, brave soldier ! Take at length thy well deserved rest! 
Light lie the sods of native earth upon ihy pulseless breast ! 
The fragrant winds of evening softest murnaurs o'er thee wave, 
Spring's fairest, purest blossoms flower upon thy quiet grave ! 
Sleep on ! secure from care and toil, from envy, pride and hate, 
Beyond the reach of battle's roar, beyond the shafts of Fate ! 
Sleep on ! and may kind Providence grant us an end like thine, 
To fall at duty's post and pass into the life divine ! 



17 



CHAPTER XVII- 



BIOG^KAPHICAI^ SKETCHES CONTINUED— REV, SAMUEL P. 
PRESSLEY — REMARKABLE SCENE IN A COURT HOUSE 
— STORY OF A CELEBRATED TRJAL (FOOT NOTE)— REV. 
LUTHER BROADDUS. 

REV. SAMUEL P. PRESSLEY. 

ri^HE Rev, Samuel Patterson Pressley left Newberry in 
1 1833. Although 'I had attended his schoolin 1832, yet 
being very young at the time and not under his immediate 
care, I have retained very little personal knowledge of him. 
As I grew up, however, I learned how highly he was es- 
teemed by the community, both as preacher and teacher. 

By the kind assistance, (most cheerfully rendered) of the 
Rev. James C. Chalmers,^ a native of Newberry County, 
now a resident of Winnsboro, S. C, who was a pupil of Mr. 
Pressley's both at Newberry and at Athens, Ga., I am en- 
abled to present the following biographical sketch : 

The Rev. Samuel P. Pressley was born in Abbeville 
C'Ainty, on the 25th day of September, 1799 He was the 
eldest son of John and Margaret (Patterson) Pressley. The 
Pressley family, from which he sprang, has been distin- 
guished for several generations by the talents and high 
moral character of the men and the intelligence and great 
moral worth of the women. Some of the ablest preachers 
of the different branches of the Presbyterian denomina- 

The Rev. J. C. Chalmers died at Winnsboro', July 7th, 1887, aged 70 
years. 



Iteminlsceyices of Newberry. 259 

tion came from this family, as did also Judge B. C. Pressley 
and that excellent physician and Christian philanthropist, 
Dr Samuel H. Pressley, who recently died at Society Hill, 
S. C 

]Mr Pressley enjoj-ed excellent opportunities and advan- 
tages in his early moral and religious training. His parents 
were both pious and intelligent. It can not be ascertained 
w^here he received his academical education, but when pre- 
pared for college he entered Transylvania University at 
Lexington, Kentucky, and was graduated from thatinstitu- 
tution on the 12th of July, 1820. After his graduation he 
taught school (probably in Abbeville County) two years. 
During this time he began the study of theology under Dr. 
John T. Pressley, of Abbeville. He then entered Princeton 
Theological Seminary in New Jersey and was graduated 
from that institution on the 20th of September, 1824. He 
was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Second Associated 
Reformed Presbytery of the Carolinas, on the 16th of No- 
vember, 1S24, and was ordained by the same Presbytery at 
Cedar Springs in Abbeville County, on the 15th of May, 
1825. In March, 1826, he was installed at Cannon Creek 
pastor of Head Spring, King's Creek, Prosperity and Can- 
non Creek Churches, all in Newberry Countj^, and re- 
mained in charge of these churches until he removed from 
the State. 

He was married to Miss Jane W. Todd, of Laurensville, 
S. C, on the 22d of December, 1825. He resided in New- 
berry village during the time of his pastorate, a period of 
about eight years, preaching occasionally to the people of 
the village in the Court House. 

Sometime previous to the year 1830 he was in charge of 
the Newberry Academy for about one year. About the be- 
ginning ot 1830 he organized and superintended a Classical 



260 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

and English High School at Prosperity Church, near the 
present town of Prosperity. He employed a competent 
teacher and visited the school frequently. This arrange- 
ment continued for two years. At the same time he super- 
tended and partly taught a Female School in Newberry, in 
which he employed competent assistants, devoting the 
most of his time to teaching the higher branches, and to 
the government of the school. This last mentioned school 
was liberally patronized by the citizens of Newberry, and 
much of the time numbered among its pupils young ladies 
from Fairfield, Union and Abbeville Counties, in South 
Carolina, and from Burke and Jefferson Counties in 
Georgia. In 1833, he taught (unassisted) a classical and 
English school in Newberry village. 

Mrs. M. A. Lindsay, of Due West, S. C, in a '' Memoir of 
Miss Elizabeth 3/cQwern.s,* (published in 1877, giv^es an ac- 
count of a most remarkable occurrence — as related by Miss 
McQ. — which took place at Newberry while Mr. Pressley 
was living in that village. 

It appears that a very respectable man, a citizen of New- 
berry District, had been found guilty of the crime of 
murder, and condemned to death. Mr. Pressley had been 
selected by the unfortunate man as his spiritual guide and 
friend, and on the day appointed for the execution preached 
his funeral in the Court House, to a crowded assembly. 
Mr. P.'s family and pupils, (Miss McQ. being one of the 
pui)ils,) and also the friends of the condemned man being 
present. Dressed in his shroud, the doomed man listened 

*Miss McQuerns was a native of Newberry County. She was born 
in 1802, and died in 1886, at Due West, S. C , where she spent the last 
thirty years of her life as a teacher. Slie was an accomplished edu- 
cator, and a noble Christian woman, who has left behind her a long 
record of unselfish usefulness. 



Reminiscences of Netvberry. 261 

attentively to his own funeral discourse, and at its close was 
carried immediately to the place of execution, whither Mr. 
Presslej' accompanied him.* 

Having been elected Professor of Moral Philosophy and 
History in the Georgia State University, then known as 
Franklin College, Mr. Pressley removed to Athens, Georgia, 
the seat of the College, and entered upon his duties in Jan- 
uary, 1834. This position he held until his death. 

In his pastoral work in Newberry, having four congrega- 
tions scattered over the County, Mr. Pressley could not 
often visit the families of his charge ; but instead, intro- 
duced monthly Bible classes — including both adults and 
children — in his different congregations, which met on 
other days than the Sabbath, He also introduced the (then) 
new custom of holding special services for the colored 
people on Saturday afternoons, giving them the front seats 
in the Churches ; the white people, (some of whom, at least, 

*I have learned from the venerable Rev. M. M. Boyd, and other 
aged persons who were present and witnessed the scene described by- 
Miss McQuerns, tliat the condemned man was David G. Sims. Mr. 
Boyd I'emembersthatMr. Pressley based his discourse on the occasion 
upon the words : "Lord Jesus receive my spirit." 

Four negro slaves having been tried a short time belore, by a Court 
of Magistrates and P'reeholders and found guilty of the murder of 
Mr. Sims' father, Mr. Sims himself was subsequently (in October, 
1830j tried upon the same charge before Judge Evans, at Newberry, 
and found guilty of being accessory before the fact to tlie murder. 
And having been refused a new trial by the Court of Appeals, was 
now about to suffer the extreme penalty of the law. 

It appears from tlie report of the case as found in 2d Bailey's S. C. 
Law Reports, that the evidence upon whicli Mr. Sims was convicted, 
was altogether circumstantial. The law did not then, as it does now, 
allow persons charged with such a crime, to testify in their own be- 
half. 

Mr. Sims' counsel, were James J. Caldwell, Esq., and Johnstone and 



262 Hcminiscences of Newberry. 

he always desired should be present), taking seats in the 
rear. 

He was an attractive preacher, having few superiors in 
the pulpit. This w^as manifested by the large congregations 
which attended upon his preaching, from the beginning of 
his ministerial career to the close of his life. He w'as a 
more animated speaker than most preachers of his denom- 
ination in his day. 

He was a profuse writer, and acquired considerable celeb- 
rity in South Carolina and elsewhere by his letters addressed 
to Dr. Cooper, the Infidel President of the South of Caro- 
lina College. These letters were published in the Charles- 
ton Observer newspaper, and in pamphlet form. And it is 
said they aided no little in intensifying the opposition 
M' hich arose against Dr. Cooper as President, especially on 
the part of those who upheld the religion of the Bible and 

Dunlap, (Job Johnstone, Esq,, and Robert Dunlap, Esq.,) of New- 
berry. The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Solicttor B. J. Earle, 
of Greenville, and A. P. Butler, Esq., of Edg-efleld, Four of the law- 
yers engaged in this celebrated trial were afterwards elevated to the 
Bench. Mr. Johnstone and Mr. Earle were both elected in the winter 
following the trial; the former to the Chancery and the latter to the 
Law Bench. Subsequently Mr. Butler was elected to the Law Bench, 
and Mr. Caldwell to the Chancery Bench. 

I have been informed by J. F. J. Caldwell, Esq., of Newberry, ( ho 
was quite young when his father, Chancellor Caldwell, died,) that his 
mother often told him that his father never believed that Mr. Sims 
was guilty. All those who knew Chancellor Caldwell, w^ill under- 
stand that his belief did not arise merely from any sympathy he 
may have felt, as counsel, for the unhappy man, but rather from the 
dictates of his sober judgment. I have also learned from trustworthy 
authority that .Judge Butler, of the pro ecution, entertained doubts 
of his guilt. 

The execution took place in the winter of 1830-81. The painful duty 
of executing the order of the Court fell upon my father, John S. Car- 
wile, whr- was the sheriff of Newberry at the time. I was only five 



Reminiscences of Newberry, 263 

true morality, and which finally compelled his (Dr. C.'s) 
resignation, 

Mr. Pressley was a close, systematic student, devoting 
much of his time to his books. He was fond of such games 
as backgammon and chess— especially the latter, as a means 
of mental recreation. AVhen his mind became wearied from 
continued close application to study, an hour's recreation of 
this kind, he said, always relieved and refreshed it, so that 
he was prepared to resume his wonted labor with renewed 
energy and activity. 

Possessing an active, vigorous and well cultivated mind, 
he was aspiring without being ambitious ; unless it was an 
honorable ambition to occupy more advanced and import- 
ant positions of usefulness. Although he died just as he 
had completed his thirty-sixth year, he had already risen 
to eminence both as educator and preacher. 

In 1834, at his own request, Mr. Pressley was dismissed 

years old then, a^d do not remember anything about the scene in the 
court house. But I can distinctly recall some things connected with the 
tragedy. I remember that my father became very silent and deeply 
concerned about the execution as tlie appointed day drew near, and 
spent many hours at night in walking the floor of his bed chamber. 
We were then living in the house on the corner of Friend and Wil- 
son streets, now occupied by Mrs. McP'all. I remember that 
while standing at a front window in the afternoon, watching the 
rapidly descending snowflakes, I saw my father, on his return from 
the execution, ride up and hitch his handsome brown mare '^I have 
always had a surprising recollection of horses) to a projecting limb of a 
damson tree that stood near the street, and come into the house, shak- 
ing the snow from his hatand overcoat. Andthatafier addressing a 
few words to my mother, he sat for a long time -amid the deepening 
shadows of evening— silently gazing into the fire, with his arms folded 
across his chest, and a look of deep pity and compassion on his face. 

In all the history of the Courts at Newberry, no trial ever created a 
snore intense and wide-spread interest than that of Mr. Sims, 



264 Reinmisce^ices of Newberry . 

from the Associated Reformed Presbytery of the Carol inas, 
to unite with the Presbyterian Church. 

He died on the 29th of September, 1836. His mortal 
remains lie in the Cemetery at Athens, whence— having 
finished his earthly labors, he entered upon his reward. 

REV. LUTHER BROADDUS. 

Rev, Luther Broaddus was born in Caroline County, Va-, 
on the 16th of July, 1846. He was the son of Rev. Andrew 
Broaddus, D. D. He was an unusually thoughtful, but not a 
melancholj'^ child. Though he was not averse to associating 
with other childron, yet he had unusual capacity to amuse 
and entertain himself when alone. In his early school 
days he was noted for his aptness to learn, and his studious 
habits, and throughout his life he displayed the same readi- 
ness in acquiring knowledge, and the same devotion to 
study. 

He was baptized by his father when he was not quite six- 
teen years old, and united with Salem (Baptist) Church, 
Caroline County, Va,, of which his father was pastor. 

In his sixteenth year he entered the University of Virgi- 
nia, where he remained only one year, leaving that institu- 
tion to join the Confederate Army, in which he continued 
to serve until General Lee's surrender. 

Soon after the war he entered the Southern Baptist Theo- 
logical Seminary, and came away — after remaining only 
two years — a full graduate. This he accomplished by 
remaining and pursuing his studies, both theological and 
literary, through two vacations. But this close application 
injured his health and he was never so strong afterwards. 

After his graduation his preparation for the full work of 
the ministry was completed by his ordination which took 



Reminiscences of Neivherry. 265 

place at Edgefield, S. C, in 1869, and he at once entered 
upon active duty as pastor of the Baptist Church, at that 
place. He was married on the 24th of November, 1870, to 
Miss Sally Eugenia Bryan, of Edgefield. 

His second pastorate was at Ninety-Six, and from that 
place he came to Newberry. 

"The first Sunday in January, 1878, will be long remem- 
bered by the members of the Newberry Baptist Church. On 
that day Mr. Broaddus appeared for the first time in their 
pulpit. Many of the members never saw his face until he 
arose to deliver his first sermon. But before its close all 
hearts were drawn to him, and his presence was felt to be a 
benediction. Nor can they forget his tender and pathetic 
words as they united with him after the sermon in com- 
memorating the death of their Lord and Master. 

Thi3 relation of pastor and people, so auspiciously begun, 
was continued with evergrowing usefulness on his part, and 
unabated love and affection on the part of his flock, for 
nearly eight years, and until his death, which occurred (at 
Newberry,) October 26th, 1885."* 

His wife and two daughters of tender years survive him- 

The manifestations of sorrow over his death were pro- 
found and universal. He was one of the most beloved and 
honored men in the community in which he lived, and was 
recognized throughout the State as one of the most useful 
ministers of his denomination. 

His funeral was attended by people of every shade of re- 
ligious opinion, ministers of other denominations in New- 
berry acting as pall-bearers. The funeral services were 
conducted by Rev. J. A. Clifton, of the Methodist Church. 

* Ex.tract from a Memorial adopted and published by the Newberry 
Church. Mr. Broaddus is probably the only minister and certainly 
the only pastor who. up to this time, (1890) has died at Newberry. 



266 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

Appropriate and pathetic addresses were made by Mr. 
Clifton, Rev. Jacob Steck, D. D., of the Lutheran Church, 
Rev, E. P. McClintock, of the Associate Reformed Presby- 
terian Church, Rev. Manning Brown, of the Methodist 
Church. 

I prefer that otiiers more capable than myself should 
sjDeak of the virtues and work of Mr. Broaddus. The more 
so, as he was not only my pastor but my most intimate and 
trusted friend also ; and a sense of personal loss and be- 
reavement which I have felt ever since his death, probably 
unfits me for writing about him, in a calm, unbiased and 
dispassionate manner. 

I am fortunate in being permitted to present extracts : 
(1), from an editorial of Mr. W. H. Wallace, of the iV^^'w- 
hei'i-y Observer ; (2), from an editorial of Rev. W. E. 
Hatcher, D. D., of Richmond, Va., associate editor of the 
Baltimore Bcq^tist, and (8), from a communication by Rev. 
O. M. Miller, of Washington City, to the Baptist Courier^ 
S. C , which together present a faithful and excellent 
13icture of the man. Mr. Wallace wrote : " No man ever filled 
his place in life more fullv than Mr. Broaddus. conscien- 
tious, earnest, strong, entirely consecrated to the work of 
the Master ; he never swerved one iota from the straight 
path of duty. He walked in that path with such modest 
demeanor, such quiet unobtrusiveness, such gentle, tender 
sympathy with his fellow men, that his daily life was a 
benediction, not only to the congregation under his special 
care, but to the entire community in which he lived. It 
may fitly be said of him, as was said of his Divine Pattern, 
*JTe ivent about doing good.'' Happy is the community that 
is blessed with such a life ; and in his death all realize and 
mourn a loss that is irreparable. 

" It is a mysterious dispensation of Providence— a man of 



Ueminiscences of Newherry. 267 

«uch usefulness to be cut down in the prime of life. But 
this much is certain ; he has gone to a rich reward. 

"As a minister, Mr. Broaddus came up to the full measure 
of his responsibilities. In the pulpit he was earnest, pointed 
and effective. He was always interesting because he studied 
his subjects closely and was thoroughly imbued with their 
spirit. He was never dull or common place, and yet he was 
as free from the sensational as it is jDossible for any minister 
to be. 

" He had a bright, discriminating mind and a kind and 
loving heart ; and these he had cultivated diligently. He 
was in a remarkable degree, the master of his own faculties ; 
always prepared to do the right thing, at the right time and 
in the right way. Whether in the pulpit, in the social 
<?ircle, amid scenes of festivity, or at the open grave, he 
always said the very thing that was most appropriate to the 
occasion. The secret was found in this ; his heart was 
always right. 

" With a bold but gentle spirit, confident in the rectitude 
of his intentions and in the strength of a consecrated man- 
hood ; he was always at his best — always the same, pre- 
pared to do whatever duty required." 

Dr. Hatcher wrote : '' I knew him (Luther Broaddus\ in 
liis youth, knew him when in 1863, a fair and light haired 
lad, he emerged from the University of Virginia, and joined 
the Southern army ; knew him when with his commission 
to preach the gospel burning in his soul, he went to the 
.Seminary to prepare for his work, and knew him, when in 
1869, he began his public career as a minister of Christ. His 
entire ministerial life was spent in South Carolina, but 
through all the passing years T have watched him with a 
brother's eye and cherished him with an ever deepening 
affection. By no act or w^ord has he ever marred the re- 



268 Reminiscences of Neicherry. 

spect which he commanded at my hands even in his youth. 

*■ 

"The Baptists of South Carolina attested in many ways- 
their sense of his worth. He was chosen to fill many 
positions of trust and honor. At the time of his death he 
was a Trustee of Furman University, the Sunday School 
Editor of the Baptist Courier and the Recording and Statis- 
tical Secretary of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. 
These positions came to him unsought, and that not from 
any scarcity of gifts for such work in the ministry of South 
Carolina, but as a tribute to his real merit. 

"His unexpected death has stricken the Baptists of hi& 
State with profound sorrow, and from every quarter are 
coming the most grateful and admiring testimonials of his- 
rare and exalted character. It is of his character that my 
heart prompts me more particularly to speak. 

" Americans are afraid to identify a man's character in 
any decisive way with his ancestry. But no man can ignore 
the question of kinship and association in accounting for 
Avhat a man is. Two facts lay behind the personal life of 
Luther Broaddus, and served to mould it. He came fronii 
a race of giants Virginia has fostered no nobler stock 
than the Broaddus', and that branch. out of which he 
sprang was of the best. His grandfather was one of the 
most delicately strung and majestic orators of this century,, 
and his father, if not in all things the peer of his own 
father, is a man of extraordinary mental force— a man 
whose vigor of thought is well matched by his peculiar 
felicity in expression. From the-e as well as from his 
sweet and thoughtful mother, Luther inherited his superior 
intellectual gifts. Nor was this all. He grew up in a pure 
atmosphere— socially, morally and religiously. His sense 
of propriety, his conviction of right and wrong, and his 



Reminiscences of Newherry. ' 269 

reverence for diviue things were fostered in him from the 
•day of his birth. Between him and all that was mean and 
debasing there was a great gulf which it would have been 
hard for him to cross. From his childhood he was in full 
accord with the lofty moral and religious tone of his home 
and kindred. It is not wrong to say that he knew as little 
of sin by actual experience as any man that I have ever 
known. 

" Not that he was a naoral weakling. By no means. He 
was every inch a man and tempted in every point. But he 
had the counterpoise of a good conscience, a pure taste and 
a real faith. He kept from sin because he feared God and 
had respect for others and for himself. His elevation of 
character, his transparency and integrity gave him power 
as a preacher. Those who could not appreciate his spiritu- 
ality had to admire his virtue and uprightness. They knew 
he was good. 

"This thorough conscientiousness of nature wrought 
mightily in the formation of his ministerial character. It 
made him true at every point. It cleared his mental forces ; 
made him studious ; gave him moral earnestness in the 
pulpit ; quickened his sense of responsibility ; caused him 
to be attentive tc the details of his work ; taught him to be 
strict and honest in his transactions with men, and made 
him faithful in every relation of life. 

" These convictions helped largely to refine his manners, 
With such sharp notions of what was right, helaad to be a 
gentleman. He could not help it. There was nothing in 
him to suggest rudeness or discourtesy. And what a lovely 
Christian gentleman he was ! The sight of him was a lesson 
in refinement. 

"And yet to a coarse eye there was nothing specially win- 
ning in his bearing. He was not demonstrative, but rather 



270 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

disposed to retirement. He knew how to be silent, and was 
not given to glib and noisy speech. He spoke only when he 
had something to say, and then with a modesty which some 
would have mistaken for timidity. Beneath his quiet mien 
there was a mine of courageous conviction. He knew no 
fear, except the fear of the Lord. The strength of his 
character was at the bottom, and over it hung the drapery 
of gentleness and sobriety. He had to be known to be ad- 
mired, and only those who saw him most, saw him to the 
best adv^antage. 

" I did not know him as a preacher, but what I did 
know of him enabled me to take his ministerial measure. 
He w^as a devout and inquisitive student ; his power of ana- 
lyzing was excellent; he was logical in the manner of his 
thinking, systematic in his plans, and ready and accurate in 
his statements. These qualities reinforced by his faith and 
his steadfast zeal, and illumined by his genial and sympa- 
thetic manner, must have made him a preacher of unusual 
power. This opinion is amply sustained by the popular 
verdict. I have heard that he was a good pastor — in the 
social sense of the term— and I am quite ready to believe it. 
He was suited to add a cheery charm to a social gathering, 
and yet more fitted to carry comfort into homes of suffering 
and bereavement. There was something helpful in his 
quiet step, his kindly voice, and his skill in doing thought- 
ful things. There was a wealth of balm in his tender soul 
for healing" the broken-hearted. In his hopeful and sym- 
pathetic nature there was a marvellous gift for recovering 
those that were out of the way. Men could live better and 
die more easily with the help of such a man as he was, and it 
was of his very being to tender such help whenever needed." 

Mr. Miller wrote: 

" Perhaps one who had the undeserved honor of his inti- 



Reminiscences of Newberry. 271 

mate aciiuaintance aad special friendship will be excused 
for adding a few personal reminiscences to what has already 
been written concerning him. (Mr. Broaddus.) * * * * 
" It was my privilege to be one of his successors at Ninety- 
Six, and the people there had me in love with him before I 
ever saw him. It was almost discouraging to follow him, 
for whoever might be second in their hearts, Mr. Broaddus 
was first. It was hard to tell whether to love him, or be 
jealous of him. He had a marvelous hold on the commu- 
nity in general, regardless of denominations. Men of the 
world held him in the most affectionate remembrance. He 
had the rare power of making the unconverted his friends 
without diminishing their respect for him as a minister. 
He was regarded as citizen as well as preacher. Eminently 
practical, broad minded, and public spirited, he laid his 
hand on the intellectual, social and civil life of the commu- 
nity. He had magnetic power over men, so that he was 
leader. No one, even if he wished to do so, would ever 
dare to say a word against him there — and when he died, 
many who years ago had called him pastor, joined in spirit 
the weeping congregation at Newberry as they followed 
him to the grave. ^' * * * * * * * * 

" He was cheerfulness personified and sanctified. So de- 
lightful was his companionship that his presence seemed to 
linger with you after he had taken his leave. How does his 
laughter dwell like a song in the memory of those who as- 
sociated with him. Quick at repartee, fond of a joke, ready 
to see the ludicrous, but not in the least clownish or undig- 
nified he bore up the spirits of others without letting him- 
self down — making men think more of themselves without 
thinking less of him. He was lively without levity, and 
keen-witted, but not cutting. ***** * 

"He was a master of men's emotions. Often under his 



272 Reminiscences of Newberry. 

quiet but earnest preachiug have I seeQ almost the entire 
congregation in tears. He seemed to have the key to the 
back door of people's hearts, so chat he slipped in on them 
before they knew it. And sometimes during his sweet and 
loving talks at the fireside you would see the handkerchiefs 
quietly coming out on all sides. But while he could play on 
people's feelings, he never played ivith their feelings. He 
never spoke for effect, but never without effect. He ever 
spoke the truth in love, ***** 

"The grave holds but little of him. His life lives on in 
other lives. His heartbeats on in other hearts. His voice, 
with its sweetness and individuality, will be hard to forget. 
His memory will be linked with many a blessed hour. His 
name will be a household word in many a South Carolina 
home, and children will wish they had been born sooner 
that they might have seen and heard him " 

With a few additional words of my own, I shall bring 
this sketch to a close. 

Canon Farrar (in a recent article which appeared in an 
American Magazine) advises students to make a habit of 
reaclwg only the greatest books, and relates that the library 
of a friend of his, remarkable for his wit and eloquence, con- 
tained only some dozen volumes, besides his Bible ; — a 
Homer, an ^Eschulus, a Plato, a Virgil, a Horace, a Dante, 
a Shakespeare, a Bacon, a Milton, a Goethe, a Wordsworth, 
and a Tennyson. "It may have been," he said, *'a scanty 
choice out of the world's literature, but any youth who 
knew the minds of only one or two of these great authors 
would be in reality far better furnished than others who 
might have read a thousand times as many books written 
by lesser men. I do not, however, mean that we should 
never open the books of any except the few immortals. * * 
* '^ * * * ^ Still the rule remains sub- 



JRemimscences of Newberry. 273 

stantially true, that if we would be wise students, the best 
and greatest books should be our habitual companions, and 
the writings of those authors who are most justly famous 
should be ' our earliest visitation, and our last' " 

Mr. Broaddus probably came nearer following the rule 
laid down by Canon Farrar than most students. He did 
very little indiscriminate reading; and for the most part 
confined himself to the reading of few and standard au- 
thors, and yet he was a better furnished man than m.any 
others who had read many more books. He did not, how- 
ever, wholly avoid the walks of light literature. He read 
the works of the justly recognized masters of English and 
American fiction. He studied the Bible thoroughly and 
constantly, and to a great extent made that book inter- 
pret itself. 

His prayers offered while leading the worship of the as- 
sembly on the Sabbath, showed how fully he carried upon 
his heart the joys, as well as the sorrows, of his congrega- 
tion, and how deeply he sympathized with all who were 
struggling against adversity, or were in any way troubled 
or disheartened. 

A very intelligent and observant lady from another town, 
being on a visit to some friends in Newberrj^ attended Mr. 
Broiiddus' church one Sunday, and heard him for the first 
tiine. At the dinner table, after her return from the 
services, she said : *' It was worth coming all the way from 
home to hear the prayer offered before the sermon this 
morning. Did you not all notice that among his petitions 
for so many different sorts of people, the preacher prayed 
for those who were perplexed ? Well, that part of the 
prayer exactly fitted my case, and was very helpful and 
comforting to me. I do not think I ever heard any one 

present that petition just as he did to-day." 

18 



APPKNDIX. 



NEWBERRY COLLEGE. 

The following historical sketch of Newberry College, (a 
part of which originally appeared in the " Stylus, an Edu- 
cational and Literary Journal,'''' m^ned from the College), 
has been kindly furnished by the President, Rev G. W. 
Holland, D, D.: 

The history of the effort of the Lutherans of South Caro- 
lina to found and maintain an institution for Christian ed- 
ucation, is an eventful one. It is a record of the faith and 
prayer and determination that have characterized a Chris- 
tian denomination for over half a century. 

It is proposed to give a chronicle of this effort and labor 
of love. Names of those who were prominent in this 
work, dates of important events, resolutions and recom- 
mendations of the Synod and Board of Trustees, will form 
part of the record As we review this history, we will 
learn to admire more than ever the intelligence, the courage 
and the earnest piety of our fathers in the Church. The 
recollection of the struggles of the past will furnish earnests 
of the success that must crown present and future labors. 

Inasmuch as another, at one time a student of the C'las- 
sical and Theological Institute of Lexington, has been en- 
gaged to write the history of that school, only a brief men- 
tion will appear in these articles. 

As early as the year 1828, Rev. Dr. Bachman, that year 
President of the Synod of South Carolina and adjacent 
States, in his annual address, recommended the founding 



276 Appendix. 

of an institution of learning to be under the fostering care 
of the Synod. In the following year, 1829, a committee, of 
which Rev. John G. Swartz was chairman, was appointed 
to "receive contributions to be devoted to the establishment 
and support of a Theological Seminary." At the Synod 
held in 1830, this committee reported as follows: "That 
exertions have been made by the committee to obtain sub- 
scriptions to a fund for a Theological Seminary, M^hich have 
been attended with considerable success. The people of our 
Church appear disposed to contribute cheerfully to the en- 
dowment of such an institution, and there is little doubt 
that a sufficient fund may be obtained in the course of four 
years to afford it a liberal support It is expected that by 
the 1st of January $3,000 will have been subscribed." 
Whereupon the following action was taken by the Synod : 

" Resolved, That in humble reliance on the Divine bless- 
ing, we now establish a Theological Seminary^ to be con- 
ducted under the auspices of Synod, and that we by this 
resolution do consecrate our efforts to Him w^ho is the great 
Head of the Church, the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls 
— God over all, blessed for ever. " 

'• Resolved, That as a course of preparatory study may be 
necessary for many theological students, and in order to the 
defraying of the expenses of a theological institution, we 
have connected with it a Classical Academy^ under the 
superintendence of the Professor of Theology, and that this 
Academy be open to all males over ten years of age." 

A Board of Directors was at once elected as follows, 
to wit : 

Rev. John Bachman, Rev. G. Dreher, Rev. W. D. Strobe], 
Rev. S. A. Mealy, Rev. C. F. Bergman, West Caughman, 
Henry Muller, Col. J. Eichelberger, Henry Horlbeck and 



Appendix. 277 

Maj. J. Swygert. Rev. John G. Swartz was unanimously 
chosen Professor of Theology, 

Thus, in faith and prayer, was founded the institution 
which in 1832 was located at Lexington, S. C, and which 
was known for twenty -five years as the Classical and 
Theological Institute of the S. C. Synod. 

In 1854, at the session of the Synod held in Mt Pilgrim 
Church, Coweta, Ga., we find that the following action was 
had : 

" Inasmuch as our Institution at Lexington is evidently 
in a languishing condition, and owing, no doubt, in part 
at least, to local surroundings, which the future does not 
promise to obviate, therefore be it 

" Hesolved, first. That in the opinion of Synod there is a 
necessity for its removal to a more eligible situation ; and 
that the Directors be and are hereby instructed to take the 
necessary steps to effect the removal to such place in South 
Carolina as may promise a more eligible location. 

" Resolved, second. That the Directors be also instructed 
to obtain from the Legislature of the State such amend- 
ments in the charter as to constitute it a regular College, 
with the power of conferring degrees. 

*\Resolved, third. That the Institution with its new 
charter shall be called College, of South Carolina." 

In pursuance of this action, Rev. J. Bachman, D. D., 
Rev. Geo. R. Haigler, Joseph Wingard and Rev. J. B. 
Anthony, were appointed a committee to carry out the re- 
quirement of Synod. As stated in the report of this com- 
mittee made to Synod in 1855 : " Copies of these resolutions 
were transmitted to those ministers and members of our 
Church residing in this State where there might be a proba- 
bility that encouragements would be olTered to locate our in- 



278 Appendix. 

intended College." The committee further state : " Several 
offers have been handed in which we hereby present to 
Synod, accompanied by our fervent prayers that God would 
give us wisdom in our decision and crown our efforts with 
his blessing, so that they may eventuate in increasing the 
facilities for mental culture— in enlarging the boundaries of 
knowledge and in the extension of the Redeemer's king- 
dom." 

At the session of the Synod in 1855, the question upon 
the removal of the school from Lexington being about to be 
considered, the following resolution offered by Rev. G. D. 
Bernheim, was adopted : " That, prior to the discussion of 
this weighty and important subject, a fervent appeal be 
made to the throne of Grace for the Divine aid and direc- 
tion in our deliberations." Whereupon, the record reads, 
*'the whole body arose and fervently invoked the Divine 
blessing to rest upon us in the discussion of this all-absorb- 
ing question." 

Proposals for the location of the College from Newberry 
and Walhalla were read. Speeches were limited to ten 
minutes, and no member was allowed to speak more than 
twice Evidently, the Synod regarded the question of re- 
moval as most important. The question upon removal 
from Lexington was first taken, the vote standing, for re- 
moval, 35, against removal 20. The ballot then had be- 
tween Newberry and Walhalla, resulted as follows : New- 
berry 46, Walhalla 9. 

Upon resolution, the vote was made unanimous, and, as a 
body, Synod resolved to be a unit in its endeavors to pro- 
mote the best interests of the Institution. 

The Synod, having resolved to remove the institutions 
from Lexington to Newberry, and to " found and main- 
tain a College,'^ named the institution " Luther College 



Appendix. 279 

and Theological Senlinar3^" This name was given in 1855. 
But in the following year, 1856, this action was recon- 
sidered, and the name changed to Newberry College. 

A charter for the proposed institution was obtained from 
the State Legislature in 1856. 

The first meeting of the Board of Trustees was held at 
Newberry in the parlor of the hotel of John L. Morgan, on 
the 13th of January, 1857, Rev. John Bachman, D. D., was 
elected President, Col. Simeon Fair, Vice-President, Henry 
Summer, Esq., Secretary, and Maj. J. P. Kinard, Treasurer. 

At this meeting the plans and specifications of the pro- 
posed college building were presented and explained by 
Mr. Geo. E. Walker, architect. Bids for the erection of the 
building were opened ; and that of Messrs. W. A. Cline 
and Osborne Wells, proposing to erect and furnish the 
college building according to the plans for the sum of 
eighteen thousand dollars (|18,000), was accepted. 

July 1-t, 1857, Rev. F. R. Anspach, D. D., of Maryland, 
was elected President of the College ; and steps were taken 
looking to an early election to other Professorships. 

The corner-stone of the proposed College edifice was 
laid, with imposing ceremonies, on the 15th of July, 1857. 
Addresses were delivered by Henry Summer, Esq., Rev. 
J. J. Brantly, Gen. A. C. Garlington, and Rev. John Bach- 
man, D. D. 

In the summer of 1858, one wing of the college building 
was so far completed as to admit of its being occupied. The 
Board, at its meeting in July, decided to open the prepara- 
tory department, and elected Rev. M. Whittle, a native of 
South Carolina and a graduate of Roanoke College, Va., as 
Principal. This school was ojDened in October following, 
with very flattering prospects, about forty students being in 
attendance. Mr, J A. Sligh, then a student, was appointed 



280 A'lypendix. 

to instruct some of the classes. Later in the year, Mr. — 
Hara, a graduate of the College of Charleston, was chosen 
assistant, who remained with the College until June, 1859. 

Rev. F. R. Anspach, D. D., the President elect, having 
declined that position, at a special meeting of the Board 
held in Columbia in December, 1858, Rev. Theophilus 
Stork, D. D., of Philadelphia, was elected President, who at 
an early day signified his acceptance. 

At the annual meeting in February, 1858, the Board re- 
solved to open the collegiate department at the earliest 
possible day. Mr. Robert Garlington, a graduate of the 
South Carolina College with the highest distinction of his 
class, was chosen Professor of Mathematics and Mechanical 
Philosophy. 

About the 22nd of February, Dr. Stork, with Rev. J. A. 
Brown, who had been appointed Professor of Theology, 
arrived in Newberry. Prof. Garlington was also on the 
ground ; and, in the language of Henry Summer, then 
Secretary of the Board, " with an alacrity seldom equalled, 
and never excelled, they arranged the studies, so far as they 
could do such a work, and assigned to each one his appro- 
priate department." 

The Professor of Theology was expected to share, for a 
time at least, in the duties of the college, as instructor in 
the Latin and Greek languages. 

During the first session of the college proper, which be- 
gan in February, 1859, and ended in June, 150 students 
were enrolled. 

At the meeting of the Board, in June, additional profes- 
sors were elected, and we find that the Faculty for the ses- 
sion which began October 1, 1859, was as follows : 



Appendix. 281 

REV. THEOPHILUS STORK, D. D., 

President and Professor of Moral and Intellectual Philoso- 
phy, Logic, Rhetoric and Elocution. 

ROBERT GARLINGTON, A. M., 
Professor of Mathematics and Mechanical Philosophy. 

O. B. MAYER, M D. 

Professor of Chemistri/^ Miner alogy and Geology. 

REV. J. BACHMAN, D. D., LL. D , 

Occasioned Lecturer 07i Natural History. 

REV. J. A. BROW:Nr, A. M., 

Professor of Hebrew and Sacred Greek. 

CHARLES A. STORK, A. B., 

Professor of the Greek Language and Literature 

REV. M. WHITTLE, A. B., 
Adjunct Professor of Jjatin and Principal of Preparatory 

Department. 

A. P. PIFER, A. B., 

Assistant in the Preparatory Department. 

The session of 1859-60 opened with 1.50 students, and 
during the year the number increased to 175. 

Hon. Henry Summer, deceased, at this time Secretary of 
the Board of Trustees, in concluding a report made to the 
Synod at its session in 1859, says: "The College opened 
under very favorable auspices on the first Monday in Octo- 
ber, 1859. * * * ^. * * * * * -;c 

This shows that your body and the Board of Trustees of the 
College have undertaken a great work — a work which, if 
they are faithful in the discharge of their duties, will re- 



282 Appendix. 

•dound to the good, not only of the community in which the 
institution is situated, but its influence will be felt afar. 
Your body, individually and collectively, should feel that 
this institution is to exert a power throughout the whole 
South. It may be regarded as the child of your prayers. 
The earnest and untiring zeal of the good, and the wise, 
and of the aged ministers of your Synod, is enlisted in this 
noble enterprise ; and will not the young and the ardent be 
stimulated to redoubled exertions, not only to place New- 
berry College upon a permanent footing, but to make it 
one of the luminaries of the South? Nurture this tender 
plant, guard it as the apple of your eye, and you shall see 
the work prosper in your hands." 

Earnest, noble words ! And none the less appropriate to- 
day than they were a quarter of a century ago. 

During the session of 1859-60 various changes occurred in 
the Faculty of the College. Prof C. A. Stork, on account of 
weakness of the eyes, in the early spring of 1860 tempora- 
rily remitted his duties, Rev. C. F. Bansemer being engaged 
to supply his place. Some time afterwards Prof. Stork re- 
turned to the College and resumed the duties of his 
chair ; but the trouble soon re-appearing, he left the Col- 
lege about April, and soon after sent to the Board his res- 
ignation 

Dr. Stork, president of the College, was during part of the 
session, on account of sickness, unable to attend to his du- 
ties, and in April went North to recruit his health, intend- 
ing to return should his health permit. Previous to the 
meeting of the Board of Trustees held in June of that year, 
he sent in his resignation as President of the College. At 
this meeting the resignations of Dr. Stork and Prof. C. A. 
Stork were accepted by the Board. In so doing the Board 
passed the following resolution : 



Appendix. 283 

^^Eesolved, That hereafter when any of the Professors or 
teachers of Newberry College resiga their places they be re- 
quired to give six months notice of such resignation." 

At a called meeting of the Board, held in May of the same 
year, Rev. Dr. Brown, professor of Theology, was chosen to 
act as president of the College until the close of the session. 
In June following he was elected President of the College 
iintil that office could be filled. 

At a special meeting of the Board in August, Rev. J. M. 
Schreckhise, of Virginia, was elected to the chair of Latin 
and Greek. August P. Pifer was made principal of the 
Preparatory Department and Adjunct Professor of Latin, 
and Rev. J. H. Bailey was chosen Assistant Teacher in the 
Preparatory Department. 

The following resolution, adopted by the Board at their 
meeting in August, 1860, will be read with interest, showing, 
as it does, that the Trustees were fully aw^ake, not only to 
the wants of the College, but also to the importance of a 
liberal education to the worthy poor of the community : 

'^Hesolved, That Messrs. Henry Summer, Simeon Fair and 
A. C. Garlington be a committee to draw up a petition to 
the Legislature of the State, setting forth the character of 
this Institution, and the facilites it affords to persons in 
moderate and indigent circumstances to obtain a liberal ed- 
ucation, and praying for the appropriation annually by the 
Legislature of a sum equal to the interest on our capital 
fund ; in return for which the trustees of the College 
shall educate yearly such a number of male childen in this 
judicial district as may be agreed upon, who may be recom- 
mended by the commissioners of the poor of said district." 

The third year of the College, 1860-61, opened with the 
most encouraging prospects, the number of students in the 



284 Appendix. 

several departments exceeding the warmest expectations of 
the friends of the College. There were at this time three 
College classes, a Freshman, Sophomore and Junior. The 
professors were hopeful: the College seemed firmly estab- 
lished. With the School of Theology, as connected with it, 
and each aiding the other, these two institutions were the 
pride of the Lutheran Church in South ('arolina. Nothing 
seemed to be needed but to plant them more firmly by 
largely increasing the endowment; and Trustees, pastors of 
churches and friends of the College were vigorously ad- 
dressing themselves to the attainment of this important 
end. Success was crowning self-denying, earnest, prayerful 
effort. But, " My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither 
are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." Why a work so 
well begun, so vigorously and prayerfully prosecuted, so 
fraught with important consequences to both Church and 
State, and just now so near successful completion, should be 
suddenly and seriously interrupted by the hand of Him for 
whose name and glory the workmen were laboring, is a 
question the answer to which is hidden in the yet unre- 
vealed counsels of the Almighty. 

In the report of the Board of Trustees, made through 
their Secretary, Major Henry Summer, to the Synod at its 
session in January, 1862, we have a condensed statement of 
the operations and condition of the College up to that date. 
As compiler of these annals I can do no better than to re- 
produce this report, which is as follows : » 

"Since the last annual meeting of your body at New- 
berry, in October, 1800, the country has been involved in 
war, the magnitude and extent of which no man, at your 
last meeting, could have fully taken in at one view. This 
had its influence upon the College, as well as all other insti- 
tutions of learning in the State. The number of students 



Appendix. 285 

was quite large at that time, but thie excitement of war and 
the stimulus of that excitement led many of the young 
men away from their studies to undergo the fatigues and 
hardships of a life in the camp of the soldier. We know 
that some of them have fallen by slow and lingering dis- 
ease, and that others have fallen on the fatal field of strife. 

' Now sleep the brave who sink to rest, 
With all their country's wishes blest !' 

In January (1801) bofore the meeting of the Board of 
Trustees, Rev. Dr. J. A. Brown, the Professor of Theology and 
President of the College 2^'^'^ ic^^ ? left Newberry for York, 
Pennsylvania. On the 15th of January the Board met and 
consulted as to what should be done as to the election of a 
President of the College, and an extra meeting was ap- 
pointed to be held on the 5th of February following. In 
the meantime the College was placed under the supervision 
of Prof. Robert Garlington, as President j^^'^^ tem. The 
Board met on February 5th, at which Rev. J. P. Smeltzer, 
of Salem, Virginia, was elected President of the College, 
pro tem. On the 6th of April Rev. J. P. Smeltzer arrived 
in Newberry, and on Monday following commenced his 
duties in the College. 

Up to this time the number of students had been dimin- 
ishing gradually, owing to the increasing excitement in the 
State 

About the 10th of May a disease* broke out in town, 
which soon assumed the light of a contagious disease ; in 
consequence of which it was deemed advisable to suspend 
exercises in all departments of the Institution about the 
first of June. 

Prof. Pifer had signified his unwillingness to serve 

*S ma II -pox. 



286 Appendix. 

another year, and with the session his services terminated 
in the College. The Board testify to his ability as a teacher, 
his deportment as a gentleman, and shall cherish his mem- 
ory as one who faithfully discharged his duty in his situa-^ 
tion. The Board in this connection also bear testimony to 
the worth and ability of Dr. Brown, in the department he 
filled in the College. 

The Board at their semi-annual meeting in June elected 
Rev. W. Eichelberger, of Virginia, Adjunct Professor of An- 
cient Languages and Principal of the Preparatory Depart- 
ment* 

The untiring zeal of Prof. Garlington, who has been con- 
nected with the College since its beginning, commends him 
to the warm regards of this Board and your body. All the 
the others are exerting themselves ably and efficiently for 
the welfare of the Institution " 

The Faculty of the College, at the opening the session, 
1862-3, were : Rev. J. P. Smeltzer, President 2Jro tern., Rob- 
ert Garlington, and Revs. J. M. Schreckhise and Webster 
Eichelberger. All the students of the previous session able 
to bear arms had enlisted in the army of the Confederacy, 
Consequently the roll was small, numbering 64 only, clas- 
sified as follows: Sophomore 1, Freshmen 8, Irregular 3, 
and Preparatory Department 52. 

Owing to serious illness in the family of Prof. Garlington 

during the latter part of the session, and his necessitated 

absence from his chair. Major Henry Summer, the Secretary 

of the Board, and one of its most intelligent and interested 

members, gave instruction from about the first of March to 

the close of the session in June, in Latin, History and 

Rhetoric. 

*Mr.. Eichelberger, having volunteered in the army of the Confeder- 
acy, did not reach Newberry until October, 1862. 



Appendix. 287 

1863-4. 

The number of students enrolled during the session of 
]863-4 was 67, with an average attendance of 45. Prof. 
Eichelberger had, during the vacation, gone to Virginia as 
a missionary to the army ; and, on account of the uncertain 
prospects of the College, did not return to Newberry. The 
remaining members of the Faculty were in their places. 

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees in January, 1864, 
President Smeltzer was apjpointed financial agent of the 
College to solicit funds for the payment of the debts of the 
College, and also for its permanent endowment. President 
Smeltzer accepted this agency and began the work, the Col- 
lege in the meantime being placed in the care of Prof, Gar- 
lington, who, in the words of the Secretary of the Board, 
'' immediately took charge of the College, and superin- 
tended the same with efficiency and success to the end of 
session" As 'stated in the report of the Secretary of the 
Board to the Synod, in October of this year, President 
Smeltzer had by June secured scholarships to the amount 
$39,000. This agency was continued by order of the Trus- 
tees, and resulted during the year by the sale of scholar- 
ships in providing for endowment about $46,000. That the 
Board of Trustees fully appreciated this work, undertaken 
and prosecuted under so many untoward circumstances, is 
shown by their action taken in June of that year : 

** Resolved, Unanimously that the thanks of this Board 
are due and are hereby tendered to our agent, Kev. J. P. 
Smeltzer, for his untiring energy and zeal in the prosecu- 
tion of his agency for the College." 

President Smeltzer, in a report to the Board made early 
in 1865, recommended to the Board that this money be used 
in the purchase of cotton to be stored in the College build- 



288 Appe7idix. 

ing. But the unwillingness to do anything that would 
show want of faith in the ultimate success of the Con- 
federate Governnjent, and the fear that the storage of so 
much cotton in the College building might lead to its de- 
struction should it fall into the hands of the U. S. army, led 
the Board to reject the recommendation. Permission was 
given to the Treasurer, who was then Rev. T. S. Boinest, to 
invest the funds in his hands in Confederate bonds. This 
was done. 

(Note. In 1882, certain of these bonds, amounting to 
about $21,000, were found among the papers of Mr. Boinest, 
and were by his widow, Mrs. A. E. Boinest, turned over to 
the writer, who sold them for |105, and by advice invested 
the amount in the purchase of the Encyclopedia Britanica 
for the College library). 

It is altogether proper to place in this record the testi- 
mony of the Board to a worthy and generous son of the 
Church in South Carolina, Robert G. Chisolm, Esq., of 
Charleston, whose enlightened zeal was shown in his care 
for the funds of the College. The following resolution was 
unanimously adopted by the Trustees at their meeting ii 
June, 1864. 

" Resolved^ That the cordial thanks of this Board be 
presented to R. G. Chisolm, Esq., for the facilities he 
afforded our agent in the arrangement of our finances, as 
well as for his assistance in procuring subscriptions for the 
College." 

1864—5. 

The session of 18(54 — 5 opened with thirty students. 
Owing to the great difficulty of procuring board, arising 
from the high price of provisions and lire wood, there were 
but few students from abroad. A committee, which had 



Appendix. 289 

been appointed to make arrangements for boarding students 
who were willing to come to College, reported that they 
" found it utterly impossible to do so." In addition to this 
difficulty the condition of the College building was now 
such as to repel students ; the general feeling was that the 
building was unsafe. The attention of the Board of Trus- 
tees had been called by President Smeltzer to the danger to 
which the building was exposed from the closing and cor- 
roding of the ducts leading from the roof to the foundation. 
Committees to collect funds and have the building re- 
paired were appointed from time to time. But nothing 
was done. This neglect, for such it must be termed, is per- 
haps excusable on the following grounds : 

1. The languishing condition of the College at the time. 

2. The many unpaid claims now brought against the 
Trustees, 

3. The uncertainties as to the result of the war ; and 

4. The intensity of interest which the war demanded for 
itself. 

The approach of the U. 8. army toward Columbia in 
March 1865, and the consequent fears of the destruction of 
that city by the troops under General Sherman, led the 
Confederate authorities to remove their purveying estab- 
lishment to Newberry. The College building was used for 
this purpose. As matter of necessity, the exercises of the 
College were now indefinitely suspended. 

The College Building was occupied by the Confederate 
Purveying Establishment until sometime in 1865, when the 
near approach of the Federal army under Sherman made 
the removal of said establishment a matter of prudence. 

After the surrender of the Confederate armies, the build- 
ing was occupied by U. S. troops for two months and more. 

During this occupancy great damage was done to the 
19 



290 Appendix 

property. The fencing was carried off, the blinds of the 
windows, the doors, benches, desl^s, &c., were promiscuously 
destroyed, sold to the negroes, or used as tire wood by the 
troops. In fact there was a complete gutting of the build- 
ing. The library which had been closed by Dr. Smeltzer, 
was forcibly opened and many volumes were carried off, 
the damage to buildings, library and grounds by U. ?. 
troops amounted to thousands of dollars. 

The building was now, in autumn of 1865, almost a ruin. 
The failure to effect the needed repairs upon the roof, fol-. 
lowed by the destructive occupancy by soldiers, brought 
about this dire result. 

In January, 1866, permission was given Dr. Smeltzer to 
open a boys' school in the building. At this time, Capt. 
A. P. Pifer of Virginia was elected tutor, at a salary of 
1600 a year, with thfe understanding that his services 
M'ould not be required until further notice. 

In June, 1866, the Board appointed a committee to esti- 
mate the damages done to the property by U. S. Troops, and 
to take steps to obtain from the U. S. Government indem- 
nity for injuries. Claims were made, but no compensation 
was at any time allowed. 

At the June meeting of the Board in 1866, steps were 
taken to open the College in October following. Rev. J. P. 
Smeltzer was continued as President pro-tem., Robert Gar- 
lington was made Professor of Mathematics and Natural 
Philosophy, and A. P. Pifer, Professor of Greek and Latin. 
The exercises of the College were opened in October. 1866, 
and were continued till June, 1867. The patronage was 
small, and the income from tuition, &c. was inadequate to 
pay the promised salaries of the Professors. In consequence 
the College was becoming more deeply in debt and the em- 
barrassment of the Trustees most discouraging. 



Appendix. 291 

Appeals made to the community and to the Churches of 
the Synod, met with indifferent success. Builders' mort- 
gages were resting over the building, and there was little 
encouragement to the people to put money in property soon 
to be under the hammer of the auctioneer. 

Notwithstanding these great difficulties, added to which 
was the dangerous condition of the walls and plastering of 
the College, the exercises were opened in October, 1867. 

An effort was made to secure a loan of |6,000, with 
which to pay off most pressing claims, and as help towards 
meeting current expenses. This effort failed. One great 
difficulty in the way of meeting expenses, grew out of the 
fact that many scholarships were issued during the war, 
and patrons now claimed the right to send sons and wards 
on these scholarships. 

In reading the Minutes of the Board during these three 
trying years from 1865 to 1868, one must admire the zeal and 
perseverance which marked certain men. Simeon Fair, 
J. P. AuU, Jacob K. Schumpert, N. A. Hunter, T. S. Boinest, 
Jacob Hawkins, O. B. Mayer, W. S. Bowman, L. J. Jones 
and others appear as always present at the Board meetings, 
and deeply anxious for the welfare of the College. 

The last meeting of the Board before the removal of the 
College to Walhalla, was held on the 25th of June, 1868. The 
College had been continued with two professors and a tutor. 

It seems that at this date, matters were most discuraging. 
The building was falling down, — no money could be raised 
for repairs— the claims of W. A Cline and J. P. Kinard 
were demanding payments— and judgments had been ob- 
tained against the property. 

At this crisis an offer for the College was made from 
Walhalla, and thither by action of the Synod the Col- 
lege was removed in October, 1868, 



292 Appendix. 

In 1876 an effort was made by the people of Newberry 
to bring the College back to that place. About $6,000 
were pledged through the influence mainly of Rev. H.W. 
Kuhns. The Synod was not willing to accept this oflfer. 

In the winter of 1876-7 greater efforts were made by 
Newberry to secure the College. Bids for its location 
were made by Walhalla, Anderson, Lexington, Columbia, 
Prosperity and Newberry. The Synod at a called meeting 
in April, 1877, accepted the bid of Newberry, which was 
a joint and several bond of responsible citizens for $15,000. 
A building committee was appointed, and in February, 
1878, the present building was ready for occupancy. 

The College returned to Newberry in October, 1877, and 
until February, 1878, held its exercises in rooms over 
Leavell's Furniture Store — offered to the Trustees free of 
rent by George S. Mower, Esq. 

At the meeting of the Trustees in Walhalla, June, 
1877. Dr. Smeltzer resigned as President of the College, 
and the faculty was constituted as follows : 

President, Rev. W. S, Bowman, D.D.; Vice-President, Rev. 
G. W. Holland, O. B Mayer, M. D., Profs. D. Arrington, 
G. D. Holloway and G. B. Cromer, the last two having 
charge of the Preparatory Department. 

The number of students the first year at Newberry 
was 67- At the Board meeting, in June 1878, Dr. Bowman 
having declined the Presidency, the present incumbent, was 
elected to that position. 

The College has now 71 Alumni, 50 of whom have gradu- 
ated since the re-location of the College at Newberry^ 

About 340 different students have been enrolled during 
the ten years at Newberry. 

The President of the College in his last annual report— 
1887, made this statement ; "A study of the roll of students 



Ajypendix. 293 

and alumni for the past ten years will show, that while our 
entire State, and to some extent, other States, have received 
blessing from Newberry College, two parties have received 
most decided and lasting benefit, viz. : The Lutheran 
Church in South Carolina and the county and town of 
Newberry. And these are the sources to which we must 
look mainly, both for endowment and patronage." 
The present Faculty (1887) of the College is composed of : 

REV. G. W. flOLLAND, A. M., Ph. D., President, 

Professor of Mental and Moral Science and English Litera- 
ture. 

O. B. MAYER, A. M., M. D., 

Professor of Physiology and Hygiene. 

REV. HOLMES DYSINGER, A. M., 

Professor of Ancient Languages and Literature. 

REV. A. G. VOTGT, A M., 
Professor of Modern Languages and Literature. 

REV. JUNIUS B. FOX, A. M., 

Professor of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. 
THOMAS H. DREHER, A. B., 

Professo) and Prinoij^al af Preparatory Department. 



MEDALS, 



ORATORICAL MEDAL. 

(given by MESSRS. Y. J. POPE AND O. L. SCHUMPERT.) 

A gold medal is annually awarded to that student of the 
Junior Class who has produced the best oration, regard 
being had to excellence both in composition and delivery. 



294 AjJpendix. 

EDUARD SCHOLTZ, ESSAY MEDAL. 

Through the liberality of Mr. Eduard Scholtz, of New- 
berry, a gold medal is annually awarded to that member 
of the Senior Class who shall produce the best essay on a 
subject to be designated by the Faculty The essay is a re- 
quisite for graduation. 

J. F. J. CALDWELL, LATIN MEDAL. 
J. F. J. Caldwell, Esq., of Newberry, offers a gold medal to 
that student of the Junior Cla»s who shall produce the best 
essay written in the Latin Language. Subject for i886-7, 
De A more Patriae. 

SOPHOMORE GREEK MEDAL. 

(given by MESSRS. T . W. HOLLOWAY AND G. S. MOWER.) 

A gold medal is annually awarded to that Sophomore 
who has sustained the best examination in the Greek Lan- 
guage. 

No student will be allowed to compete for any of the 
above medals, except the Oratorical and the Latin Medal 
unless he has entered for the degree of Bachelor of Arts. 

Note. — Since the foregoing sketch was prepared for pub- 
lication. Prof. Dysinger, Prof. Voigt and Prof. Dreher have 
resigned. 

The following named gentlemen now (April 18i)0) com- 
pose the Faculty : 

Rev. G. W. HOLLAND, Ph. D., D. D., President, 
Professor of Mental and Moral Science and English Litera- 
ture. 
O. B. MAYER, A. M., M. D , 
Professor of Physiology and Hygiene. 



Appendix. 295 

Rev. JUNIUS B. FOX, A. M., 

Professor of Matheiiiaflcs and Natural SclGnces. 

Rev. a. J. BOWERS, A. M , 

Professor of Ancient Languages and Literature. 

A, S. LAIRD AND W. K. 8LIGH. 

Professors and Principals of Preparatory Department. 

W. C. SHOTT, Master of Accounts. 
(East.a[ax Coi.lege,) 
Professor of Penmanship, Book- Keeping.^ Telegraphy., Type- 
Writing and Stenogi^aphy. 

The (.'hair of Modern Laiiguaj^es and Literature is vacant 
at present. The duties of the same being temporarily per- 
formed by other members of the Faculty. 



9 66 



